http://woolful.com
Fri, 01 Jun 2018 05:45:35 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.1Each episode of the Making podcast is an intimate conversation where makers and artists reflect on their own creative journey, how they landed on their current art form, and how they have been shaped by it.<br />
Guests from every facet of the making community--knitters, sewers, builders, weavers, potters, and painters--reflect on their own creative process, and how their role as makers more deeply connects them to the world around us.Making Making ashley.yousling@gmail.comashley.yousling@gmail.com (Making )2018 MakingA Podcast For Makershttp://woolful.com/wp-content/uploads/powerpress/making.jpghttp://woolful.com
IdahoBi-Weekly103870936No. 7 / COLOR – Knitting Narratives with Anna Maltzhttp://woolful.com/no-7-color-knitting-narratives-with-anna-maltz/
http://woolful.com/no-7-color-knitting-narratives-with-anna-maltz/#commentsFri, 01 Jun 2018 05:37:34 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=5446Anna Maltz is charming and delightful, and her voice is strong…as an artist, designer, entrepreneur and story-teller. If you follow her on Instagram, you’re probably familiar with her sweater spotting adventures along with her ingenious new book, Marlisle – a beautiful combination of marled and fair isle knitting. Anna has spent her life exploring as a maker, and observer of beauty, both in the expected and unexpected. Here she share’s a bit of her story and what drives and inspires her. Grab your latest project and have a listen…I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. You can find anna at annamaltz.com and on Instagram @sweaterspotter.

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This weeks giveaway is sponsored by Anna and Making and we’re giving away a copy of Anna’s book Marlisle and 2 skeins of Moeke Elena yarn in Natural. To enter this giveaway, visit this episodes blog post at makingzine.com and comment.

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]]>http://woolful.com/no-7-color-knitting-narratives-with-anna-maltz/feed/3No. 7 / COLOR – Knitting Narratives with Anna MaltzAnna Maltz is charming and delightful, and her voice is strong…as an artist, designer, entrepreneur and story-teller. If you follow her on Instagram, you’re probably familiar with her sweater spotting adventures along with her ingenious new book, Marlisle - a beautiful combination of marled and fair isle knitting. Anna has spent her life exploring as a maker, and observer of beauty, both in the expected and unexpected. Here she share’s a bit of her story and what drives and inspires her. Grab your latest project and have a listen…I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. You can find anna at annamaltz.com and on Instagram @sweaterspotter.Making 45:07
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5446No. 6 / COLOR – Sewing Happiness with Sanae Ishidahttp://woolful.com/no-6-color-sewing-happiness-with-sanae-ishida/
http://woolful.com/no-6-color-sewing-happiness-with-sanae-ishida/#commentsFri, 27 Apr 2018 19:45:28 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=5441I love hearing people’s stories, the journey, the deep and the not so deep. It’s the very reason I started the podcast back in 2014, because hearing someone’s story, their creative story, is inspiring and motivating. Sanae Ishida is a quiet force in this community, whether you’re familiar with her work or not, her story and message is so very powerful. She’s an incredible maker, designer, author and artist, in fact she painted the cover for our newest issue, COLOR and she’s had projects in nearly all of our past issues. I think you’re really going to enjoy what she has to share, so grab your project bag and settle in for an inspiring hour. You can find Sanae at sanaeishida.com and on Instagram @sanaeishida.

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Many of you listeners might be familiar with a segment I used to have on the Woolful podcast called Man on the Street, well we’re reintroducing this fun segment to the Making podcast and for this week’s “Maker on the Street” I asked the question, “Tell us what projects from No. 5 / COLOR you’re most excited to dive into and what yarn or materials you’re planning to use?”

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This weeks giveaway is sponsored by Sanae and Making and we’re giving away a copy of Sanae’s book “Sewing Happiness” and a Secret Garden Scarf project kit created by Kristine of A Verb for Keeping Warm. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment on the episode blog post at makingzine.com

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]]>http://woolful.com/no-6-color-sewing-happiness-with-sanae-ishida/feed/2No. 6 / COLOR - Sewing Happiness with Sanae IshidaI love hearing people’s stories, the journey, the deep and the not so deep. It’s the very reason I started the podcast back in 2014, because hearing someone’s story, their creative story, is inspiring and motivating. Sanae Ishida is a quiet force in this community, whether you’re familiar with her work or not, her story and message is so very powerful. She’s an incredible maker, designer, author and artist, in fact she painted the cover for our newest issue, COLOR and she’s had projects in nearly all of our past issues. I think you’re really going to enjoy what she has to share, so grab your project bag and settle in for an inspiring hour. You can find Sanae at sanaeishida.com and on Instagram @sanaeishida.Making 38:24
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5441No. 5 / COLOR – Discovering your craft with Cal Patchhttp://woolful.com/no-5-color-discovering-your-craft-with-cal-patch/
http://woolful.com/no-5-color-discovering-your-craft-with-cal-patch/#commentsFri, 13 Apr 2018 17:43:37 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=5432Cal Patch is a celebration of color, of crochet, of sewing and the confidence it takes to explore such crafts. If you’re a Making magazine reader you may be familiar with her work, from posies and hats, to wraps and her newest amazing project in COLOR, the Boxet Bag. Cal’s excitement around making is infectious and her encouraging story is one we hope you’ll enjoy. You can find Cal at cal patch.com and on Instagram @hodgepodgefarm.

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/ maker on the street /

Many of you listeners might be familiar with a segment I used to have on the Woolful podcast called Man on the Street, well we’re reintroducing this fun segment to the Making podcast and for this week’s “Maker on the Street” I asked the question, “As Spring approaches, what colors are you most excited to welcome back into your landscape?”

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And a few updates from our Making magazine headquarters…all subscriptions and wholesale orders have shipped and we’re excited to celebrate the official launch of No. 5 / COLOR on April 20th. As a thank you to our wonderful subscribers, we have a few gifts and giveaways planned. We feel so lucky to get to work with every wonderful sponsor at Making, and we owe a big thank you to every one of them who donated all these goodies. All our 2018 Making subscribers will be entered into a random drawing for three packages. If you’d like to be entered, there is still time to subscribe—winners will be chosen next Friday, the 20th!

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This weeks giveaway is sponsored by Quince and Co and they’re giving away all the yarn needed to make Cal’s Boxet Bag project from COLOR.To enter this giveaway, leave a comment on the blog post makingzine.com.

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]]>http://woolful.com/no-5-color-discovering-your-craft-with-cal-patch/feed/6Cal Patch is a celebration of color, of crochet, of sewing and the confidence it takes to explore such crafts. If you’re a Making magazine reader you may be familiar with her work, from posies and hats, to wraps and her newest amazing project in COLOR,...Cal Patch is a celebration of color, of crochet, of sewing and the confidence it takes to explore such crafts. If you’re a Making magazine reader you may be familiar with her work, from posies and hats, to wraps and her newest amazing project in COLOR, the Boxet Bag. Cal’s excitement around making is infectious and her encouraging story is one we hope you’ll enjoy. You can find Cal at cal patch.com and on Instagram @hodgepodgefarm.
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You can also and listen and subscribe on iTunes and Stitcher.
/ notes & resources /Cal Patch / Guest site
/ maker on the street /
Many of you listeners might be familiar with a segment I used to have on the Woolful podcast called Man on the Street, well we’re reintroducing this fun segment to the Making podcast and for this week’s “Maker on the Street” I asked the question, “As Spring approaches, what colors are you most excited to welcome back into your landscape?”
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And a few updates from our Making magazine headquarters…all subscriptions and wholesale orders have shipped and we’re excited to celebrate the official launch of No. 5 / COLOR on April 20th. As a thank you to our wonderful subscribers, we have a few gifts and giveaways planned. We feel so lucky to get to work with every wonderful sponsor at Making, and we owe a big thank you to every one of them who donated all these goodies. All our 2018 Making subscribers will be entered into a random drawing for three packages. If you’d like to be entered, there is still time to subscribe—winners will be chosen next Friday, the 20th!
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This weeks giveaway is sponsored by Quince and Co and they’re giving away all the yarn needed to make Cal’s Boxet Bag project from COLOR.To enter this giveaway, leave a comment on the blog post makingzine.com.
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This episode is brought to you by our lovely sponsors.
A Verb For Keeping Warm – Oakland, CA averbforkeepingwarm.com
My Sister Knits in Fort Collins, Colorado. mysisterknits.com@mysisterknits

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5432No. 4 / COLOR – Sewing with purpose, with Anna Grahamhttp://woolful.com/no-4-color-sewing-with-purpose-with-anna-graham/
http://woolful.com/no-4-color-sewing-with-purpose-with-anna-graham/#commentsFri, 16 Mar 2018 14:33:07 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=5423Anna Graham has her hands in a lot of sewing goodness these days and if you’re a Making magazine reader you may be familiar with her work, from petal pouches and totes, to wallets and her newest amazing project in COLOR, the Making Backpack. Anna’s ambition and passion is evident as she tells her makers journey, one I’m sure many of you will be able to relate to. We’re so inspired by her approach to making and hope you will be to. You can find Anna at noodle-head.com and on Instagram @noodlehead531.

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This weeks giveaway is sponsored by The Woolly Thistle and they’re giving away a $50 gift card to their shop full of British and European yarns.To enter this giveaway, leave a comment on the makingzine.com post.

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]]>http://woolful.com/no-4-color-sewing-with-purpose-with-anna-graham/feed/10No. 4 / COLOR - Sewing with purpose, with Anna GrahamAnna Graham has her hands in a lot of sewing goodness these days and if you’re a Making magazine reader you may be familiar with her work, from petal pouches and totes, to wallets and her newest amazing project in COLOR, the Making Backpack. Anna’s ambition and passion is evident as she tells her makers journey, one I’m sure many of you will be able to relate to. We’re so inspired by her approach to making and hope you will be to. You can find Anna at noodle-head.com and on Instagram @noodlehead531.Making 28:14
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5423No. 3 / COLOR Re-envisioning the fiber landscape with Jared Floodhttp://woolful.com/no-3-color-re-envisioning-the-fiber-landscape-with-jared-flood/
http://woolful.com/no-3-color-re-envisioning-the-fiber-landscape-with-jared-flood/#commentsFri, 02 Mar 2018 04:13:55 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=5415Sometimes we forget that those behind some of the biggest names and companies in the industry are just that; people with a vision, makers with a mission and entrepreneurs with a passion and will so strong. Jared Flood is the force behind one of our favorite companies, Brooklyn Tweed. What started out as an idea, quickly grew into something much greater than even he anticipated. Backed by an incredible team and american wool, he’s paved much of the way for modern domestic yarn production and quality knitwear design. It was a pleasure to get to sit down and hear his story, and I hope you enjoy listening in. You can find Jared at brooklyntweed.com and on Instagram @brooklyntweed and @jared_flood

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]]>http://woolful.com/no-3-color-re-envisioning-the-fiber-landscape-with-jared-flood/feed/34No. 3 / COLOR - Re-envisioning the fiber landscape with Jared FloodSometimes we forget that those behind some of the biggest names and companies in the industry are just that; people with a vision, makers with a mission and entrepreneurs with a passion and will so strong. Jared Flood is the force behind one of our favorite companies, Brooklyn Tweed. What started out as an idea, quickly grew into something much greater than even he anticipated. Backed by an incredible team and american wool, he’s paved much of the way for modern domestic yarn production and quality knitwear design. It was a pleasure to get to sit down and hear his story, and I hope you enjoy listening in. You can find Jared at brooklyntweed.com and on Instagram @brooklyntweed and @jared_floodMaking 41:04
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5415No. 2 / COLOR – Connecting with Mexico through handcrafted beauty, with Collectivohttp://woolful.com/no-2-connecting-with-mexico-through-handcrafted-beauty-with-collectivo/
http://woolful.com/no-2-connecting-with-mexico-through-handcrafted-beauty-with-collectivo/#commentsFri, 16 Feb 2018 05:53:59 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=5407Collectivo began as an idea in 2016 and was founded by Vail Fletcher, a professor of gender and environmental studies with a fascination for the handmade, Jessica Helgerson, an interior designer with a deep affection for Mexico, and Cristina Niculescu, a travel-loving Spanish professor. Collectivo collects beautiful handmade goods straight from the source, with these three women traveling to remote indigenous villages to meet the makers and learn about the age-old traditions behind each craft and document the hours, weeks or even months that go into making a single piece. Each region has its natural materials, each village its speciality, and each family its own take on tradition. Their mission is to share with you their love for Mexico through the artistry and stories they collect along the way and Collectivo brings you these treasures and the stories behind them. You can find Collectivo at ourcollectivo.com and on Instagram @ourcollectivo.

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This week we’re giving away a sweater’s worth of Moeke Yarn Elena grey and a copy of our first Making issue, No. 1 / FLORA. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment on today’s episode’s blog post at makingzine.com. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment on this blog post.

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Just a little update, we’ve got lots of great things in our shop at makingzine.com. Subscriptions for Making 2018, which includes issue No. 5 / COLOR and No. 6 / BW are available, along with the entire line of Moeke Yarns, a variety of kits and available for pre-order is UNIFORM and UNIFORM little, a knit and sew collaboration between Carrie Hoge and Grainline Studio. And if you’re a shop looking to wholesale, you can find No. 5 / COLOR and the UNIFORM books on our wholesale site.

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]]>http://woolful.com/no-2-connecting-with-mexico-through-handcrafted-beauty-with-collectivo/feed/27No. 2 / COLOR - Connecting with Mexico through handcrafted beauty, with CollectivoCollectivo began as an idea in 2016 and was founded by Vail Fletcher, a professor of gender and environmental studies with a fascination for the handmade, Jessica Helgerson, an interior designer with a deep affection for Mexico, and Christina Niculescu, a travel-loving Spanish professor. Collective collects beautiful handmade goods straight from the source, with these three women traveling to remote indigenous villages to meet the makers and learn about the age-old traditions behind each craft and document the hours, weeks or even months that go into making a single piece. Each region has its natural materials, each village its speciality, and each family its own take on tradition. Their mission is to share with you their love for Mexico through the artistry and stories they collect along the way and Collectivo brings you these treasures and the stories behind them. You can find Collectivo at ourcollectivo.com and on Instagram @ourcollectivo. Making 39:22
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5407No. 1 / COLOR – Making a discovery with Carrie Hoge & Ashley Youslinghttp://woolful.com/no-1-color-making-a-discovery-with-carrie-hoge-ashley-yousling/
http://woolful.com/no-1-color-making-a-discovery-with-carrie-hoge-ashley-yousling/#commentsFri, 02 Feb 2018 03:44:47 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=5393For the past few months we’ve been busy getting the new Making podcast off the ground. As many of you know, Carrie and I joined forces last October and the Woolful podcast is now known as the Making podcast. Same format and approach to each maker’s creative journey, but now expanded to all types of makers. This first episode of Season No. 1 / COLOR is extra special being that Carrie Hoge and I are the guests. Neither of us have ever been interviewed for a podcast so we thought it would be fun to kick off this new adventure together, sharing our own maker journey’s. We hope you enjoy getting a glimpse into our lives, craft and love of color.

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]]>http://woolful.com/no-1-color-making-a-discovery-with-carrie-hoge-ashley-yousling/feed/20No. 1 / COLOR - Making a discovery with Carrie Hoge & Ashley YouslingFor the past few months we’ve been busy getting the new Making podcast off the ground. As many of you know, Carrie and I joined forces last October and the Woolful podcast is now known as the Making podcast. Same format and approach to each maker’s creative journey, but now expanded to all types of makers. This first episode of Season No. 1 / COLOR is extra special being that Carrie Hoge and I are the guests. Neither of us have ever been interviewed for a podcast so we thought it would be fun to kick off this new adventure together, sharing our own maker journey’s. We hope you enjoy getting a glimpse into our lives, craft and love of color. Making 42:36
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5393Coming next Friday: The Making Podcasthttp://woolful.com/coming-next-friday-the-making-podcast/
http://woolful.com/coming-next-friday-the-making-podcast/#commentsTue, 16 Jan 2018 20:46:57 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=5254For the past few months we’ve been busy getting the new Making podcast off the ground. As many of you know, Carrie and I joined forces last October and the Woolful podcast is now known as the Making podcast, same format and approach to each makers creative journey’s, but now expanded to all types of makers.

…Welcome to Making, a podcast for makers. I’m excited to share with you some incredible people I’ve had the opportunity to talk to in this community we love so much. From knitters and quilters to builders and painters, here’s where you get to listen to a little part of their making journey…

The first episode of Season No. 1 / COLOR launches next Friday, February 2nd…and it’s extra special being that Carrie and I are the guests. Neither of us have ever been interviewed for a podcast so we thought it would be fun to kick off this new adventure together, sharing our own maker journey’s.

Here’s a little preview of the Making podcast, Season No. 1 / COLOR…

]]>http://woolful.com/coming-next-friday-the-making-podcast/feed/1Coming next Friday: The Making PodcastFor the past few months we've been busy getting the new Making podcast off the ground. As many of you know, Carrie and I joined forces last October and the Woolful podcast is now known as the Making podcast, same format and approach to each makers creative journey's, but now expanded to all types of makers. <br />
<br />
...Welcome to Making, a podcast for makers. I’m excited to share with you some incredible people I’ve had the opportunity to talk to in this community we love so much. From knitters and quilters to builders and painters, here’s where you get to listen to a little part of their making journey...<br />
<br />
The first episode of Season 1 launches next Friday, January 26th...and it's extra special being that Carrie and I are the guests. Neither of us have ever been interviewed for a podcast so we thought it would be fun to kick off this new adventure together, sharing our own maker journey's. <br />
<br />
Here's a little preview of the Making podcast, Season No. 1 / COLOR...Making1:53
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5254Announcing Making + Woolfulhttp://woolful.com/announcing-making-woolful/
http://woolful.com/announcing-making-woolful/#commentsFri, 06 Oct 2017 02:15:01 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=5243

This week is a big week, as it marks the joining of forces between two amazing companies, Making + Woolful.

Together we are stronger and can bring more to this community that we love so much.

Making is now: the magazine you’ve come to love + a podcast for makers + a growing maker’s market.

The magazine will continue to publish twice a year. The Woolful podcast will now be the Making podcast, continuing to be hosted by myself, keeping the same format and creative journey approach with guests from all aspects of the making community—from production to finished work. The Woolful podcast will air through October and look for Season One of the Making podcast launching in January 2018. If you’re a subscriber through the iTunes or another platform, don’t worry, the RSS feed will stay the same and you’ll continue to get updates to new episodes of the Making podcast as well as access to all the past episodes of Woolful. The Woolful Mercantile will be a part of Making Market in November, where you’ll be able to find all the yarns, the calendar and some new fun things soon. The Woolful blog will remain a place I share about the going ons of our farm, wool inspiration, the podcast and Making in general.

Together Carrie and I have created the 2018 Sheep Wall Calendar, available for both retail and wholesale. Pre-orders for both wholesale and retail are now open, go hereto view.

This calendar is a celebration, of wool, friendship and nature.

The fibers we work with each tell a story. Where they originated, who cared for them, and what they are to become.

Our hope for you in 2018, is that you’ll find more blessings within your making than ever before. Whether you knit, dye, crochet, weave, spin or sew – there is far more to learn, experience and appreciate.

We are really excited about this new journey and we hope you’ll come alongside us to support and encourage. Thank you for making what we do possible.

Sponsor: The Yarn Collective is a new fibre and design company focused on working with the best independent designers to bring you luxurious hand-dyed yarns in a range of inspiring colorways.The Yarn Collective has kicked off the launch with a trio of designers representing the best of modern knitwear design; Melanie Berg, Carol Feller and Bristol Ivy. Carol Feller’s line Bloomsbury DK, a 100% merino, comes in a range of 10 shades, selected by herself based on colors that work well together and enhance each other. “Each story also has neutral shades included which create links between all the colors.” She’s launched the line with 3 patterns; The Dango hat, Lignite Sweater and Russler Shawl, which were all designed to show how the colors were created to mesh together. Visit theyarncollective.com and follow along on Instagram @theyarncollective and make sure to visit loveknitting.com, where you can purchase all The Yarn Collective yarns.

Fiber folk: There are so many uses for wool outside of clothing and handcrafts, whether it be rugs, blankets, insulation…or my personal favorite, wool bedding. Sarah Sunshine and her mother Eliana Jantz pioneered bringing natural bedding back into our homes and what began in 1984 as a dream, grew into what today is now known as Shepherd’s Dream. I’ve loved hearing the story behind this amazing company and Sarah’s passion for what they do and bring to this community. I hope you’re inspired to look further into bringing more wool into your home, and supporting the producers and makers behind it. You can find Sarah at shepherdsdream.com and on Instagram @shepherdsdream.

Photos by Shepherd’s Dream

Sponsor: Scratch is an innovative new yarn and craft supply shop located in Lebanon, New Hampshire. They’re committed to providing a beautifully curated selection of yarns and supplies for knitters, as well as roving, tools, and kits for needle felters. Their shop also features embroidery, sewing, and select fine art supplies. Scratch operates with the guiding notion that makers are curious and creative, and should be able to find exciting, high quality materials to work with all in one place.

Scratch is also home to the areas only handcraft focused makerspace–home to a sewing bar, multiple looms, common workspace, a tool library, and more! Explore their full schedule of classes, and weekly Craft Night focused on building the creative community in the Upper Valley. You can find their full selection of yarns, notions and supplies on their new website at scratchmakerspace.com, and on Facebook & Instagram: @scratchmakerspace

Update: Next week on Wednesday you’ll want to tune in for a couple of exciting announcements, including the release of the 2018 Wall Calendar, featuring 12 illustrated sheep breeds and natural dye plants. Make sure to check woolful.com and woolful on Instagram next week for more info.

Giveaway: The winner of our last episode’s giveaway is Kate. You’ve won a the ICON pattern project kit from Shibui and a copy of Rib Magazine’s Navigate. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Shepherds Dream and they’re giving away two standard sleep pillows, made with their Premium Eco-Wool batting and the winner can choose between flat, medium or full fills.

And here’s something special for Woolful listeners…from now through the end of the year, use coupon code Woolful5 to receive 5% off all items in the Shepherds Dream shop, except for already discounted items, wood frames and raw materials. To enter, leave a comment on this blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-84-sarah-sunshine-a-wool-love-story-natural-parenting-wool-bedding-and-shepherds-dream/feed/103Episode 84: Sarah Sunshine - A wool love story, natural parenting, wool bedding, and Shepherd’s DreamThere are so many uses for wool outside of clothing and handcrafts, whether it be rugs, blankets, insulation…or my personal favorite, wool bedding. Sarah Sunshine and her mother Eliana Jantz pioneered bringing natural bedding back into our homes and what began in 1984 as a dream, grew into what today is now known as Shepherd’s Dream. I’ve loved hearing the story behind this amazing company and Sarah’s passion for what they do and bring to this community. I hope you’re inspired to look further into bringing more wool into your home, and supporting the producers and makers behind it. You can find Sarah at shepherdsdream.com and on Instagram @shepherdsdream.Making 38:49
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5226Episode 83: Olga Buraya-Kefelian – Improvisation, linguistic studies, exploring technique and Olga Jazzyhttp://woolful.com/episode-83-olga-buraya-kefelian-improvisation-linguistic-studies-exploring-technique-and-olga-jazzy/
http://woolful.com/episode-83-olga-buraya-kefelian-improvisation-linguistic-studies-exploring-technique-and-olga-jazzy/#commentsSat, 09 Sep 2017 00:42:11 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=5202

Sponsor: Texture, fit, technique, style. Just a handful of elements that inspire today’s knitter to pick up needles and cast on. When it comes to men who knit or those who wish to knit for them, though, sources of inspiration are often difficult to come by. The solution is Rib Magazine. Devon and Jennie, the founders of Rib Magazine hope to establish an ever-evolving, inspirational library of men’s knitwear patterns and highlight the renaissance of men returning to the craft and art of knitting. As you flip through the pages, you will not only find engaging designs, but stories of men who participate in and contribute to our fiber community, whether they be knitters, designers, weavers, spinners, or dyers. Through their stories, Rib aims to motivate and attract more men to knitting.

Now introducing the second issue of Rib Magazine: No. 2 | NAVIGATE. In the pages of this issue, you will find designs and articles that explore the craft of knitting along with selected garments and accessories with interesting constructions and techniques—challenges for you to navigate and adventures to embrace. Whether you are embarking on a project to learn a new skill or fine tune your craft, we hope that you enjoy the journey of creating a timeless piece for your wardrobe or a loved one’s. Look for issue No. 3 launching this October. Subscriptions and individual issues are available on at ribmag.com and follow along on Instagram @ribmagazine

Fiber folk: Olga Buraya-Kefelian is a force in the knitwear design community and her penchant for unique construction and patterns has broadened many a knitters repertoire. Her work has made appearances with many of our favorite yarn brands, including Shibui, Woolfolk, Brooklyn Tweed, Habu and many more. I’ve long been a fan of her versatility in design and it was a pleasure getting to hear her story. I hope you enjoy it as well. And for those you who don’t want to miss any of Olga’s upcoming events and classes, make sure to subscribe to her newsletter at olgajazzy.com and follow along on Instagram and Facebook @olgajazzyknits.

Sponsor: Shibui Knits was born in 2007, in the basement of Darcy Cameron’s yarn store, Knit Purl in Portland, Oregon. Faced with the limitations of yarn from big-brand companies, she started her own label, bringing yarn of the highest quality to small, independent stores like her own. Shibui Knits has since grown to represent timeless sophistication in local yarn stores worldwide. All of the Shibui yarns are designed to become unique, luxury fabrics in a coordinated palette made for mixing, at any gauge. Each pattern is tailored with thoughtful techniques, resulting in an intuitive knitting process and garments with optimal fit. Today, they continue to be grounded in the concept of simplicity well executed, with loving attention to detail. This week Shibui launched the FW17 collection along with their newest yarn Birch, a sport weight single ply made in 100% merino. This new collection celebrates the contrasts of the season with dynamic shapes, and versatile, multi-seasonal fabrics that help you push the boundaries of your personal style with confidence. You can view the FW17 lookbook along with the full line of Shibui yarns at shibuiknits.com and make sure to follow along on Ravelry and Instagram @shibuiknits and you’ll want to join Shibui’s card list and follow their journey at shibuiknits.com/follow-our-journey

Giveaway: The winner of our last episode’s giveaway is Rose Young. You’ve won a copy of Rebecca Burgess’s book Harvesting Color and 3 skeins of Twirl yarn. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Shibui and Rib Magazine. Shibui is giving a project kit which includes the ICON pattern, a modern wrap from their FW17 collection along with 5 skeins of their new yarn Birch. Rib Magazine is giving away a copy of their most recent issue Navigate. To enter, leave a comment on this blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-83-olga-buraya-kefelian-improvisation-linguistic-studies-exploring-technique-and-olga-jazzy/feed/102Episode 83: Olga Buraya-Kefelian - Improvisation, linguistic studies, exploring technique and Olga JazzyOlga Buraya-Kefelian is a force in the knitwear design community and her penchant for unique construction and patterns has broadened many a knitters repertoire. Her work has made appearances with many of our favorite yarn brands, including Shibui, Woolfolk, Brooklyn Tweed, Habu and many more. I’ve long been a fan of her versatility in design and it was a pleasure getting to hear her story. I hope you enjoy it as well. And for those you who don’t want to miss any of Olga’s upcoming events and classes, make sure to subscribe to her newsletter at olgajazzy.com and follow along on Instagram and Facebook @olgajazzyknits.Making 1:15:23
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5202Episode 82: Rebecca Burgess – Natural dyeing, Regional fiber systems, conscious consuming and Fibershedhttp://woolful.com/episode-82-rebecca-burgess-natural-dyeing-regional-fiber-systems-conscious-consuming-and-fibershed/
http://woolful.com/episode-82-rebecca-burgess-natural-dyeing-regional-fiber-systems-conscious-consuming-and-fibershed/#commentsFri, 18 Aug 2017 18:35:22 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=5176

Sponsor: My Sister Knits is a locally owned and loved yarn shop located in For Collins, CO, minutes away from Historic Old Town and located in a carriage house. What started out as a small venture for founder Julie Luckasen, grew into a passionate community of creative minds. My Sister Knits provides a welcoming atmosphere for knitters of all types and skill levels, a place for people to gather and cultivate their passion for knitting, share and support one another. Join them each Tuesday night from 5-8pm for their Open Knitting Night. And make sure to visit mysisterknits.com to view their list of upcoming classes including a special workshop taught by Elizabeth Doherty. And if you find yourself in or around Fort Collins, make sure to visit this shop in person to find wonderful yarns and more. Follow on Instagram @mysisterknits

Fiber folk: Several years ago while living in San Francisco, I was introduced to an amazing organization called Fibershed, founded by an even more amazing woman named Rebecca Burgess. It was Rebecca, her fellow producers and Fibershed that prompted me to look deeper at the materials we use and where they come from. This in turn was much of the interest that inspired Woolful and eventually our move from the city to our farm in North Idaho. The work that Rebecca has done and the movement she’s inspired will forever impact the direction the fiber industry is moving in…recognizing the environmental, economic and social benefits of the materials we use and wear. You can find Rebecca at fibershed.com and on Instagram @fibershed.

Photos by Paige Green, Andrew Plotsky, Dustin Kahn

Sponsor: Texture, fit, technique, style. Just a handful of elements that inspire today’s knitter to pick up needles and cast on. When it comes to men who knit or those who wish to knit for them, though, sources of inspiration are often difficult to come by. The solution is Rib Magazine. Devon and Jennie, the founders of Rib Magazine hope to establish an ever-evolving, inspirational library of men’s knitwear patterns and highlight the renaissance of men returning to the craft and art of knitting. As you flip through the pages, you will not only find engaging designs, but stories of men who participate in and contribute to our fiber community, whether they be knitters, designers, weavers, spinners, or dyers. Through their stories, Rib aims to motivate and attract more men to knitting.

Now introducing the second issue of Rib Magazine: No. 2 | NAVIGATE. In the pages of this issue, you will find designs and articles that explore the craft of knitting along with selected garments and accessories with interesting constructions and techniques—challenges for you to navigate and adventures to embrace. Whether you are embarking on a project to learn a new skill or fine tune your craft, we hope that you enjoy the journey of creating a timeless piece for your wardrobe or a loved one’s. Look for issue No. 3 launching this October. Subscriptions and individual issues are available on at ribmag.com and follow along on Instagram @ribmagazine

Giveaway: The winner of our last episode’s giveaways are Claire and Noelle. Claire you’ve won Melanie Berg’s Whiteout Shawl kit from Shibui and Noelle you’ve won Melanie’s Secretkeeper shawl kit from The Yarn Collective. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by the Fibershed and Twirl Yarn and they’re giving away a copy of Rebecca’s natural dye book Harvesting Color and 3 skeins of Twirl yarn.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-82-rebecca-burgess-natural-dyeing-regional-fiber-systems-conscious-consuming-and-fibershed/feed/99Episode 82: Rebecca Burgess - Natural dyeing, Regional fiber systems, conscious consuming and FibershedSeveral years ago while living in San Francisco, I was introduced to an amazing organization called Fibershed, founded by an even more amazing woman named Rebecca Burgess. It was Rebecca, her fellow producers and Fibershed that prompted me to look deeper at the materials we use and where they come from. This in turn was much of the interest that inspired Woolful and eventually our move from the city to our farm in North Idaho. The work that Rebecca has done and the movement she’s inspired will forever impact the direction the fiber industry is moving in…recognizing the environmental, economic and social benefits of the materials we use and wear. You can find Rebecca at fibershed.com and on Instagram @fibershed.Making 1:10:30
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5176Episode 81: Melanie Berg – A career in IT, Germany, Yarn Weights and Self Publishinghttp://woolful.com/episode-81-melanie-berg-a-career-in-it-germany-yarn-weighst-and-self-publishing/
http://woolful.com/episode-81-melanie-berg-a-career-in-it-germany-yarn-weighst-and-self-publishing/#commentsFri, 23 Jun 2017 16:43:36 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=5145

Sponsor: Shibui Knits was born in 2007, in the basement of Darcy Cameron’s yarn store Knit Purl in Portland, Oregon. Faced with the limitations of yarn from big-brand companies, she started her own label, bringing yarn of the highest quality to small, independent stores like her own. Shibui Knits has since grown to represent timeless sophistication in local yarn stores worldwide. All of the Shibui yarns are designed to become unique, luxury fabrics in a coordinated palette made for mixing, at any gauge. Each pattern is tailored with thoughtful techniques, resulting in an intuitive knitting process and garments with optimal fit. Today, they continue to be grounded in the concept of simplicity well executed, with loving attention to detail. In March of this year Shibui launched the SS17 collection along with their newest yarn Lunar, a lace weight merino and silk blend. You can view the SS17 lookbook along with the full line of Shibui yarns at shibuiknits.com and make sure to follow along on Ravelry and Instagram @shibuiknits

Fiber folk: When I think of shawl designers, Melanie Berg is one of the first to come to mind. Her work has inspired a generation of shawl knitters and her soft and sweet presence charms anyone who’s had the opportunity to talk with her. From her life in Germany with her family to exploring new European yarns, I hope you enjoy hearing Melanie’s story. You can find Melanie on Ravelry and on Instagram @mairlynd.

Sponsor: The Yarn Collective is a new fibre and design company focused on working with the best independent designers to bring you luxurious hand-dyed yarns in a range of inspiring colorways.The Yarn Collective has kicked off the launch with a trio of designers representing the best of modern knitwear design: Melanie Berg, Carol Feller and Bristol Ivy. The first of these international designers is Melanie Berg from Germany, who has launched Portland Lace, a fine yarn spun from the softest merino wool to create a wonderfully soft handle that is suitable for all types of knitting and crochet. The yarn is available in 10 shades, picked by Melanie Berg herself. The Yarn Collective has had the pleasure in collaborating with a family run mill that has been established for over 85 years in Peru. Now run by the third generation, their passion for ethics matches The Yarn Collective’s own commitment to environmentally safe practices and social responsibility. The yarn is accompanied by the Secretkeeper Lace shawl pattern, which Melanie named as “sometimes knitting can feel like weaving in little secrets into fabric as you go. Thoughts that you won’t share with anyone, just your knitting..” Visit theyarncollective.com and follow along on Instagram @theyarncollective and you can purchase the yarns at loveknitting.com

Giveaway: The winner of our last episode’s giveaway is Lianne Scott. You’ve won Taproot’s GROW project kit for the Summer Rain Shawl, Thread and Ladles autographed copy of MAINE Knits and 4 skeins of Wing and a Prayer Farm’s Shetland DK to make Beatrice’s Gentle Ewe Shawl pattern. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaways are sponsored by Shibui and The Yarn Collective. Shibui is giving away a project kit featuring Melanie’s Whiteout Shawl along with their Lunar yarn. The Yarn Collective is giving away Melanie’s Secretkeeper shawl along with their Portland Lace yarn. To be one of the winners of this weeks giveaway, enter by leaving a comment on this blog post. And if you’re on Instagram and would like another chance to enter, see our giveaway post on Instagram for more info.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-81-melanie-berg-a-career-in-it-germany-yarn-weighst-and-self-publishing/feed/391Episode 81: Melanie Berg - A career in IT, Germany, Yarn Weights and Self PublishingWhen I think of shawl designers, Melanie Berg is one of the first to come to mind. Her work has inspired a generation of shawl knitters and her soft and sweet presence charms anyone who’s had the opportunity to talk with her. From her life in Germany with her family to exploring new European yarns, I hope you enjoy hearing Melanie’s story. You can find Melanie on Ravelry and on Instagram @mairlynd.Making 50:54
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5145Episode 80: Beatrice Perron Dahlen – Making a creative living, teaching, making a book and Thread and Ladlehttp://woolful.com/episode-80-beatrice-perron-dahlen-making-a-creative-living-teaching-making-a-book-and-thread-and-ladle/
http://woolful.com/episode-80-beatrice-perron-dahlen-making-a-creative-living-teaching-making-a-book-and-thread-and-ladle/#commentsFri, 16 Jun 2017 21:17:14 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=5119

Sponsor: Taproot Magazine, is a quarterly print magazine full of delightful stories and photos written by and for people living fuller and digging deeper. Each issue is created around a subtle theme, featuring amazing recipes, crafts, and tales, all with the intention of inspiring people who are interested in deepening their connections to their families, communities, and themselves as they strive to live locally and closer to the ground. The content in each issue consistently blows me away. It is fulfilling and inspiring. The most recent issue GROW features a collection of wonderful finds as we close out Spring and step in Summer. With lessons in dyeing, making dolls, kefir, brunch and herbal recipes, essays on Marion Stoddart and the wonder of cacao, and a collection of knitting, crochet and sewing projects. There is so much goodness in each issue. You can visit Taproot Magazine online at Taprootmag.com and on Instagram @taprootmag.

Fiber folk: Beatrice Perron Dahlen is a woman of many talents and I’m continually amazed with her creations and contributions to this fiber world, whether it be knitwear, embroidery or dyeing. But more than that, Beatrice is a mother who invests in her family, exploring creative ways to provide and balance being a maker and mother. She recently released a very special project, MAINE Knits. A book featuring 16 knitting patterns inspired by the Sea, Farm and Wild of Maine, designed by a wonderful group of Maine based designers. Make sure to check out MAINE Knits on Ravelry and Beatrice’s website, threadandladle.com. You can also find Beatrice on Instagram @threadandladle.

Photos by Beatrice Perron Dahlen, Carrie Bostick Hoge, Kathy Cadigan

Sponsor: I want to thank Taproot Magazine again for sponsoring this week’s episode. With the natural, easygoing and heartfelt focus of each issue, I find myself continuing to go back to it throughout the quarter, gaining a little something each time and looking forward to the upcoming issue. Make sure to check out the most recent issue GROW, and join Taproot’s Grow Makealong. All you need to do to join is make something from the Hands section of GROW, and share it on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtage #taprootmakealong for a chance at the crafty grand prize. Visit Taprootmag.com and renew or subscribe.

Event: Mark your calendars for a special event happening at Elaine and Mike’s farm, Old Homestead Alpacas. On June 17th they’ll be hosting their third annual open barn event, a day full of fun, fiber and some great history. So if you’re in the Walla Walla area, it’s worth the visit to meet and get to know both Elaine and her fiber family. I encourage you to visit Old Homestead Alpacas on Facebook and on Instagram @oldhomesteadalpacas

Giveaway: The winner of our last episode’s giveaway is Alyssa. You’ve won a copy of Making Magazine’s most recent issue No 3. DOTS and a yard of Robert Kaufman’s double gauze fabric. Congratulations!

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-80-beatrice-perron-dahlen-making-a-creative-living-teaching-making-a-book-and-thread-and-ladle/feed/165Sponsor: Taproot Magazine, is a quarterly print magazine full of delightful stories and photos written by and for people living fuller and digging deeper. Each issue is created around a subtle theme, featuring amazing recipes, crafts, and tales,
Sponsor: Taproot Magazine, is a quarterly print magazine full of delightful stories and photos written by and for people living fuller and digging deeper. Each issue is created around a subtle theme, featuring amazing recipes, crafts, and tales, all with the intention of inspiring people who are interested in deepening their connections to their families, communities, and themselves as they strive to live locally and closer to the ground. The content in each issue consistently blows me away. It is fulfilling and inspiring. The most recent issue GROW features a collection of wonderful finds as we close out Spring and step in Summer. With lessons in dyeing, making dolls, kefir, brunch and herbal recipes, essays on Marion Stoddart and the wonder of cacao, and a collection of knitting, crochet and sewing projects. There is so much goodness in each issue. You can visit Taproot Magazine online at Taprootmag.com and on Instagram @taprootmag.

Fiber folk: Beatrice Perron Dahlen is a woman of many talents and I’m continually amazed with her creations and contributions to this fiber world, whether it be knitwear, embroidery or dyeing. But more than that, Beatrice is a mother who invests in her family, exploring creative ways to provide and balance being a maker and mother. She recently released a very special project, MAINE Knits. A book featuring 16 knitting patterns inspired by the Sea, Farm and Wild of Maine, designed by a wonderful group of Maine based designers. Make sure to check out MAINE Knits on Ravelry and Beatrice’s website, threadandladle.com. You can also find Beatrice on Instagram @threadandladle.

Photos by Beatrice Perron Dahlen, Carrie Bostick Hoge, Kathy Cadigan
Sponsor: I want to thank Taproot Magazine again for sponsoring this week’s episode. With the natural, easygoing and heartfelt focus of each issue, I find myself continuing to go back to it throughout the quarter, gaining a little something each time and looking forward to the upcoming issue. Make sure to check out the most recent issue GROW, and join Taproot’s Grow Makealong. All you need to do to join is make something from the Hands section of GROW, and share it on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtage #taprootmakealong for a chance at the crafty grand prize. Visit Taprootmag.com and renew or subscribe.

Event: Mark your calendars for a special event happening at Elaine and Mike’s farm, Old Homestead Alpacas. On June 17th they’ll be hosting their third annual open barn event, a day full of fun, fiber and some great history. So if you’re in the Walla Walla area, it’s worth the visit to meet and get to know both Elaine and her fiber family. I encourage you to visit Old Homestead Alpacas on Facebook and on Instagram @oldhomesteadalpacas

Sponsor: The Sated Sheep opened in February of 2015 in Dripping Springs Texas by Allison Wilcox. After practicing as a clinical psychologist for 30 years, Allison began looking to do something different..to focus on being a part of and building community, which led her to open The Sated Sheep. Allison shares, “I really believe that you change the world one moment and one soul at a time, and that a big part of that is education. I spend a lot of time just talking with folks who come in about where the yarns come from, how they are made, what the story is behind the person/company who made them etc. That’s super important to me personally and I try, as much as I can, to have that reflected in the choices I make in the shop.” The Sated Sheep is passionate about making craft accessible to everyone and they’ve partnered with the local library to offer free classes twice a month.

So if you’re in the Austin or Dripping Springs Texas area or just passing through, make sure to seek out The Sated Sheep. Stop in for coffee or tea beer or wine, and try some of their homemade raw dark chocolates, relax during the Tuesday evening happy hour, join one of their exciting classes or peruse the shop. Mark your calendar because on Mondays, a local massage therapist takes over the shop and one can book a massage for themselves or bring friends to sit and knit or crochet and take turns getting a massage and receive 10% off in the shop. You can find The Sated Sheep at thesatedsheep.com and on Instagram @thesatedsheep

Fiber folk: I’ve long admired Jessica and her work, for her simplistic approach to natural dyeing, love of books, tempting baked goods and warm and welcoming heart for this fiber community. She has a very interesting background, having first delved into natural dyeing while studying librarianship in graduate school and it’s led her all the way to making a home in Vermont along with her husband and two adorable sons. I hope you enjoy hearing her story as much as I have and getting to know this inspiring woman. You can find Jessica at sugarhouseworkshop.com and on Instagram @sugarhouseworkshop.

Sponsor: Scratch is an innovative new yarn and craft supply shop located in Lebanon, New Hampshire. They’re committed to providing a beautifully curated selection of yarns and supplies for knitters, as well as roving, tools, and kits for needle felters. Their shop also features embroidery, sewing, and select fine art supplies. Scratch operates with the guiding notion that makers are curious and creative, and should be able to find exciting, high quality materials to work with all in one place.

Scratch is also home to the areas only handcraft focused makerspace–home to a sewing bar, multiple looms, common workspace, a tool library, and more! Explore their full schedule of classes, and weekly Craft Night focused on building the creative community in the Upper Valley.

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks episode giveaway is Nancy. You’ve won a skein of their Alpaca handspun worsted weight yarn from Your Daily Dose of Fiber. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Making Magazine and to celebrate the launch of their most recent issue, No. 3 DOTS, they’re giving away a copy along with a yard of Robert Kaufman’s double gauze chambray dobby fabric to make the Starry Sky Skirt by Rae Hoekstra. This issue also features today’s guest along with many other makers, projects and patterns. To enter leave a comment on this post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-79-jessica-lewis-stevens-librarianship-natural-dyeing-homesteading-and-sugarhouse-workshop/feed/100Episode 79: Jessica Lewis Stevens - Librarianship, Natural Dyeing, Homesteading, and Sugarhouse WorkshopI’ve long admired Jessica and her work, for her simplistic approach to natural dyeing, love of books, tempting baked goods and warm and welcoming heart for this fiber community. She has a very interesting background, having first delved into natural dyeing while studying librarianship in graduate school and it’s led her all the way to making a home in Vermont along with her husband and two adorable sons. I hope you enjoy hearing her story as much as I have and getting to know this inspiring woman. You can find Jessica at sugarhouseworkshop.com and on Instagram @sugarhouseworkshop.Making 47:59
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5092Episode 78: Emily Chamelin-Hickman – Shearing life, Wool business, Controversy and Targeted grazinghttp://woolful.com/episode-78-emily-chamelin-hickman-shearing-life-wool-business-controversy-and-targeted-grazing/
http://woolful.com/episode-78-emily-chamelin-hickman-shearing-life-wool-business-controversy-and-targeted-grazing/#commentsWed, 26 Apr 2017 07:00:15 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=5063

Sponsor: Sunday Knits has quickly become one of my new favorite yarns to knit with. Started in 2008 by Carol Sunday, Sunday Knits is a collection of 4 merino and merino blend yarns and beautiful patterns designed by Carol. From the 100% extra-fine Australian merino to the French Angora, all their fibers are humanely sourced and then milled in Italy to Carol’s meticulous and caring specifications. Aside from this yarns obvious qualities, they’re a dream to knit with…so soft yet sturdy and the breadth of colors are beautiful and perfect for color work…I have yet to move beyond swatching, as there are so many great uses for this wholesome yarn. And if you enjoy knitting shawls, make sure to take a look at Carol’s latest patterns, Windfeather and Water Hyacinth, featuring lacework and texture…a little warmth and a lot of style makes these beautiful shawls a wardrobe staple, and an enjoyable knit in any of Sunday Knits’ yarns. You can also find kits for these designs on their website. Visit Sunday Knits at sundayknits.com or if you can make a trip to Roscoe, Illinois near the Wisconsin state line, make an appointment to visit Sunday Knits gorgeous studio. You can follow on Instagram @carolsundayknits

Fiber folk: I first met Emily at the 2016 ASI convention, where I was introduced by our mutual friend Brittany Cole Bush. Brittany’s first words were, ‘You need to get to know Emily. She is the most incredible shearer you’ll meet.’ And she was right. I’ve enjoyed getting to know Emily more and watch her journey on Instagram. Her passion and love for sheep, their care and the wool industry is inspiring. I hope you enjoy getting to know her as she tells her story. You can find Emily at chamelinshearing.org and on Instagram @gypsyshearer.

Sponsor: Located in Historic Downtown Laramie, Wyoming, Cowgirl Yarn is a fiber-lover’s paradise. Their unique collection of scrumptious yarns, luxurious needles, fashion-forward patterns, one-of-a-kind accessories, and oodles of inspiration provides the ideal home for any and all knitters, crocheters, weavers, and spinners. They are proud to offer a large and exclusive selection of yarns and fibers that are produced in Wyoming. They also represent over 25 brands that are made in the USA as well as stock goods from 6 out of the 7 continents. Enjoy a taste of the world, of the United States, of Wyoming at Cowgirl Yarn. Make sure to visit cowgirlyarn.com for a list of their gatherings and classes, including their community gathering every Monday evening. And follow along with their fiber exploration on Facebook, Instagram, the Cowgirl Yarn blog or join their Email list.

I’m looking for more fiber appreciating folks to join the Man on the Street team…if you’re interested, shoot me an email at hello@woolful.com

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks episode giveaway is Adrienne Simmons. You’ve won the Constellation Bandana Embroidery project kit and No. 2 FAUNA from Making Magazine.

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Your Daily Dose of Fiber and they’re giving away a skein of their handspun Alpaca worsted weight yarn. To enter leave a comment on this post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-78-emily-chamelin-hickman-shearing-life-wool-business-controversy-and-targeted-grazing/feed/70Sponsor: Sunday Knits has quickly become one of my new favorite yarns to knit with. Started in 2008 by Carol Sunday, Sunday Knits is a collection of 4 merino and merino blend yarns and beautiful patterns designed by Carol.
Sponsor: Sunday Knits has quickly become one of my new favorite yarns to knit with. Started in 2008 by Carol Sunday, Sunday Knits is a collection of 4 merino and merino blend yarns and beautiful patterns designed by Carol. From the 100% extra-fine Australian merino to the French Angora, all their fibers are humanely sourced and then milled in Italy to Carol’s meticulous and caring specifications. Aside from this yarns obvious qualities, they’re a dream to knit with…so soft yet sturdy and the breadth of colors are beautiful and perfect for color work…I have yet to move beyond swatching, as there are so many great uses for this wholesome yarn. And if you enjoy knitting shawls, make sure to take a look at Carol’s latest patterns, Windfeather and Water Hyacinth, featuring lacework and texture…a little warmth and a lot of style makes these beautiful shawls a wardrobe staple, and an enjoyable knit in any of Sunday Knits’ yarns. You can also find kits for these designs on their website. Visit Sunday Knits at sundayknits.com or if you can make a trip to Roscoe, Illinois near the Wisconsin state line, make an appointment to visit Sunday Knits gorgeous studio. You can follow on Instagram @carolsundayknits

Fiber folk: I first met Emily at the 2016 ASI convention, where I was introduced by our mutual friend Brittany Cole Bush. Brittany’s first words were, ‘You need to get to know Emily. She is the most incredible shearer you’ll meet.’ And she was right. I’ve enjoyed getting to know Emily more and watch her journey on Instagram. Her passion and love for sheep, their care and the wool industry is inspiring. I hope you enjoy getting to know her as she tells her story. You can find Emily at chamelinshearing.org and on Instagram @gypsyshearer.

Sponsor: Located in Historic Downtown Laramie, Wyoming, Cowgirl Yarn is a fiber-lover’s paradise. Their unique collection of scrumptious yarns, luxurious needles, fashion-forward patterns, one-of-a-kind accessories, and oodles of inspiration provides the ideal home for any and all knitters, crocheters, weavers, and spinners. They are proud to offer a large and exclusive selection of yarns and fibers that are produced in Wyoming. They also represent over 25 brands that are made in the USA as well as stock goods from 6 out of the 7 continents. Enjoy a taste of the world, of the United States, of Wyoming at Cowgirl Yarn. Make sure to visit cowgirlyarn.com for a list of their gatherings and classes,]]>Making 45:46
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5063Episode 77: Maura Grace Ambrose – Grandma’s attic, Americana, Family and Folk Fibershttp://woolful.com/episode-77-maura-grace-ambrose-grandmas-attic-americana-family-and-folk-fibers/
http://woolful.com/episode-77-maura-grace-ambrose-grandmas-attic-americana-family-and-folk-fibers/#commentsFri, 24 Mar 2017 20:40:25 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=5055

Sponsor: Making is a bi-annual handcrafts publication created by Carrie Bostick Hoge of Madder, that brings crafts people from different areas of focus to one publication. The act of making helps to connect us to the past, knowing that many craft skills were practiced daily out of necessity. We also connect to our present, as we stop to slow down and enjoy the work at hand, leaving behind the stress of our busy days. And, possibly at the heart of our creations, is the future. As the sweater we knit or the blanket we quilt becomes an heirloom for our family to use, enjoy, and pass down to the next generation. Circling back and tying us to the past. All these connections are equally important and help to bring meaning and value to the beauty and utility we make. Subscriptions just opened for 2017, with the Spring issue DOTS shipping in May, which includes a Q & A piece with today’s guest Maura Ambrose and myself, and the Fall issue LINES shipping in October. This year you’ll enjoy projects, essays and more from And if you missed past issues, they’ll be available beginning next week from the shop. Make sure to visit makingzine.com to subscribe and follow along on the blog and Instagram @makingzine.

Fiber folk: When it comes to quilting, few are as passionate, dedicated and adorable as Maura Grace Ambrose of Folk Fibers. Through hand quilted elegance and natural dyeing exploration, Maura has created a mesmerizing collection of some of the most beautiful quilts I’ve ever seen. Her journey has lead her to a place where her craft comes second only to her family and the home they’ve created. I hope you enjoy getting to know Maura and her passions. You can find Maura at folkfibers.com and on Instagram @folkfibers.

Sponsor: Scratch is an innovative new yarn and craft supply shop located in Lebanon, New Hampshire. They’re committed to providing a beautifully curated selection of yarns and supplies for knitters, as well as roving, tools, and kits for needle felters. Their shop also features embroidery, sewing, and select fine art supplies. Scratch operates with the guiding notion that makers are curious and creative, and should be able to find exciting, high quality materials to work with all in one place.

Scratch is also home to the areas only handcraft focused maker space–home to a sewing bar, multiple looms, common workspace, a tool library, and more! Explore their full schedule of classes, and weekly Craft Night focused on building the creative community in the Upper Valley.

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks episode giveaway is Tiffany H. You’ve won a two year subscription to Taproot Magazine, 2 skeins of Stone Wool and 2 skeins of Greenbow Farm Lopi yarn. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Making Magazine and they’re giving away the Constellation Bandana Embroidery project kit along with Issue no. 1 FAUNA. To enter leave a comment on this blogpost.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-77-maura-grace-ambrose-grandmas-attic-americana-family-and-folk-fibers/feed/126Episode 77: Maura Grace Ambrose - Grandma’s attic, Americana, Family and Folk FibersWhen it comes to quilting, few are as passionate, dedicated and adorable as Maura Grace Ambrose of Folk Fibers. Through hand quilted elegance and natural dyeing exploration, Maura has created a mesmerizing collection of some of the most beautiful quilts I’ve ever seen. Her journey has lead her to a place where her craft comes second only to her family and the home they’ve created. I hope you enjoy getting to know Maura and her passions. You can find Maura at folkfibers.com and on Instagram @folkfibers.Making 49:46
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5055Woolspiration: Sheep to Shop 1924http://woolful.com/woolspiration-sheep-to-shop-1924/
http://woolful.com/woolspiration-sheep-to-shop-1924/#respondMon, 20 Mar 2017 07:00:08 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=5030Another charming Woolspiration video for you this week, this time of the various stages of yarn manufacturing intended for hosiery and knitted goods. You’ll find machines very similar to this still in use in today’s smaller mills all across America. You can watch it here. Enjoy!

]]>http://woolful.com/woolspiration-sheep-to-shop-1924/feed/05030Jude’s birth story: Part 1http://woolful.com/judes-birth-story-part-1/
http://woolful.com/judes-birth-story-part-1/#commentsSat, 18 Mar 2017 04:21:27 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=5022This is part one of Jude’s birth story, you can read Coltrane’s birth story here

It’s been a journey to get here and one I know so many woman find themselves on. A year ago we were mourning yet another loss and really wondering if I’d ever be able to carry another baby full term. I’d reached this point of complacency, forcing myself to accept what was and what wasn’t.

A couple days after my last miscarriage I was on a plane to San Francisco for my monthly work trip to the city we’d moved from just months earlier and one I didn’t like going back to. I remember sitting in the airport and with a delayed flight, finding myself researching miscarriage yet again. But this time I typed in ‘multiple miscarriages’ and an article about hormones happened to catch my eye. I began reading and immediately felt I’d happened upon the answer to what was ‘wrong’ with me. Why hadn’t any doctor (natural or otherwise) suggested I get my progesterone checked? I quickly texted my midwife Taylor from Seattle who caught my first son Coltrane and she said a hormone panel is the first thing she does when there is a history of miscarriages. So I did and the results were alarming. I was told, ‘you have the hormones of a 50yr old. If you don’t change something soon, you’ll likely go through menopause in the next few years’. Specifically my progesterone was severely low, as was my cortisol. I was running on fumes, physically and mentally. The previous few years had taken their toll and it was showing in a very real way. My doctor gently urged me to seriously consider leaving my job or at the very least discontinue traveling. At the time leaving my job seemed too much to handle, a career I’d dedicated 10yrs to, working my way up and sacrificing so much for…I wasn’t ready to make that decision. I began with cutting my travel and setting some boundaries with work…something I’ve always struggled with.

Over the following months things began to become more clear, specifically my calling as a mother and woman began to gain clarity. I’d always found my identity in my career, but I am so much more than a creative director or designer of the ‘next greatest cell phone’. I’m a mother. And I was beginning to realize that being a mother was enough. In fact it was more than enough. My years of believing I had to have some major career or climb the ladder or be just like the men I worked with (and better) was slowly dissolving. The lie myself and society had been telling me, that motherhood alone was not enough of an accomplishment or worth, was becoming more apparent. I’m always one to have 10 plates spinning at one time, so it wasn’t as though I wouldn’t have other interests or pursuits (i.e. Woolful), but I was beginning to find a peace that didn’t exist before and a deeper love for motherhood. A deeper love for my beautiful son Coltrane, if such a thing was possible.

What I didn’t know was that a month later I would find myself pregnant again, this time completely by surprise and that because of the hormone panel, I’d have a really good chance to carry the baby full term with the help of a progesterone supplement and lifestyle changes.

For the next 9 months I experienced so many emotions. Intense fear and joy. Every twinge or change or feeling sent my mind in a direction of anxiety. The appointment where we heard the heartbeat, lying there trying to relax, remembering before when we could no longer find heart tones. This time the midwife was struggling to find it, but reassured me. I pressed my eyes shut and prayed. Moments later a strong steady beat. Tears of incredible relief and joy shook my entire body. Coltrane sat next to me a bit confused, patting my leg and telling me it was going to be ok. This little boy, the boy who had told me months earlier that we needed a ‘baby brudder’, was so sure.

As Summer passed and Fall neared, I found myself continually in awe that I was able to experience this all over again. Had you asked me after Coltrane I’d have told you I wasn’t very fond of the pregnancy part, but that had changed…I was now fond…quite fond. Give me every ache, pain, heartburn and pound. I refused to take any of it for granted.

And then came November. My so incredibly well timed ‘Thanksgiving’ baby was soon to make himself known. I’d been envisioning this birth for years now. When we first bought the property I had dreamed that one Winter as the snow fell, I would have a baby in our warm and cozy yurt. I held onto that dream and it did indeed become a reality.

]]>http://woolful.com/judes-birth-story-part-1/feed/135022Woolspiration: Knitting Pretty c.1955http://woolful.com/woolspiration-knitting-pretty-c-1955/
http://woolful.com/woolspiration-knitting-pretty-c-1955/#commentsSat, 04 Mar 2017 18:43:13 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=5017It’s been far too long since I’ve posted a Woolspiration post. I’ve been gathering an archive over the past year and am looking forward to sharing these videos, articles and books with you more regularly.

Today we have a great film from the past, ‘Knitting Pretty‘. This charming piece is filmed in Kodachrome and features a woman named Patricia Scott. She is a knitting adviser for Lavenda and her job is to visit conferences and shops, helping customers choose wools, needles, patterns and answer questions. The film gives some background on wool processing, choosing ply, the best way to wind the wool, how to calculate gauge, and even how to wash your woolens. While all of this information we find readily available today online, in your LYS or in a book…’Knitting Pretty’ takes you back to a day when this information wasn’t as easy to come by, yet creating your own garments was just as sought after, if not more so.

Sponsor: Taproot Magazine, is a quarterly print magazine full of delightful stories and photos written by and for people living fuller and digging deeper. Each issue is created around a subtle theme, featuring amazing recipes, crafts, and tales, all with the intention of inspiring people who are interested in deepening their connections to their families, communities, and themselves as they strive to live locally and closer to the ground. The content in each issue consistently blows me away. It is fulfilling and inspiring. The most recent issue WEAVE features a collection of wonderful finds as we close out Winter and step in Spring. With lessons in growing Cosmos, Paleo and homemade bitters recipes, Wendell Berry and Tasha Tudor essays, and a collection of knitting and crochet how-to’s. There is so much goodness in each issue. You can visit Taproot Magazine online at Taprootmag.com and on Instagram @taprootmag.

Fiber folk: Over the past few years I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Matt and Christina of Greenbow Farm…first discovering their yarn, visiting their farm and following their incredible journey on Instagram. This first generation family run farm is an inspiration, that with hard work, sacrifice, gumption, drive and business savvy, you can achieve your farm dreams. They are ‘doing it’, creating a living on and from their farm. I hope you’ll take some time to visit their site, Instagram and shop and if you’re in the Seattle area, you can find them at the West Seattle Farmer’s Market every Sunday. Visit greenbowfarm.com and find them on Instagram @greenbowfarm.

Sponsor: I want to thank Taproot Magazine again for sponsoring this week’s episode. With the natural, easygoing and heartfelt focus of each issue, I find myself continuing to go back to it throughout the quarter, gaining a little something each time and looking forward to the upcoming issue. Make sure to check out the most recent issue WEAVE, featuring the Quill hat pattern from Andrea Mowry knit in Stone Wool, Three French Hens knit toy pattern from Susan B Anderson knit in Bartlett Wool Co. and the Rosemound Scarf crochet pattern from Ashlynn Holmes crocheted in Quince and Co. I highly recommend you visit Taprootmag.com and renew or subscribe.

Knitalong: This past November we kicked off the year long Woolful and Biches & Buches knit along. You can join any time this year by casting on one of Biches & Buches patterns or a project with one of their yarns. Visit bichesetbuches.com to be inspired and find your project kit or yarn and visit Woolful.com for more info on this knit along. This week we have another knit along giveaway winner, Theresa L. You’ve won a $30 gift card to the Woolful Mercantile. Congratulations!

Giveaway:The winners of last weeks giveaway are MaryBeth, Danna and Becky. You’ve won a copy of Sylvia McFadden’s Shawl Joy and a Skein of Woolful’s Cottage yarn. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Taproot Magazine and Greenbow Farm and they’re giving away a 2 year subscription to Taproot, 2 skeins of Stone Wool yarn to knit Andrea Mowry’s hat patterns in, and 2 skeins of Greenbow Farm Lopi yarn. To enter leave a comment on this blogpost.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-76-matthew-cox-christina-miller-arts-food-justice-icelandic-sheep-and-greenbow-farm/feed/220Episode 76: Matthew Cox & Christina Miller - Arts, Food Justice, Icelandic sheep, and Greenbow FarmOver the past few years I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Matt and Christina of Greenbow Farm…first discovering their yarn, visiting their farm and following their incredible journey on Instagram. This first generation family run farm is an inspiration, that with hard work, sacrifice, gumption, drive and business savvy, you can achieve your farm dreams. They are ‘doing it’, creating a living on and from their farm. I hope you’ll take some time to visit their site, Instagram and shop and if you’re in the Seattle area, you can find them at the West Seattle Farmer’s Market every Sunday. Visit greenbowfarm.com and find them on Instagram @greenbowfarm.Making 58:17
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4985Episode 75: Sylvia McFadden – Vancouver, Mentorship, Analytics and Shawlshttp://woolful.com/episode-75-sylvia-mcfadden-vancouver-mentorship-analytics-and-shawls/
http://woolful.com/episode-75-sylvia-mcfadden-vancouver-mentorship-analytics-and-shawls/#commentsWed, 15 Feb 2017 21:09:52 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4958

Sponsor: Scratch is an innovative new yarn and craft supply shop located in Lebanon, New Hampshire. They’re committed to providing a beautifully curated selection of yarns and supplies for knitters, as well as roving, tools, and kits for needle felters. Their shop also features embroidery, sewing, and select fine art supplies. Scratch operates with the guiding notion that makers are curious and creative, and should be able to find exciting, high quality materials to work with all in one place.

Scratch is also home to the areas only handcraft focused makerspace–home to a sewing bar, multiple looms, common workspace, a tool library, and more! Explore their full schedule of classes, and weekly Craft Night focused on building the creative community in the Upper Valley.

Fiber folk: Sylvia McFadden has a gift…evoking grace, calm and desire by combining wool, imagination and a keen eye for color and composition. I’ve been a big fan of Sylvia’s work for some time and am enamored by her designs and most recent book, Shawl Joy. Her tenacity for life and her various photography and youth based programs gives you a bit more of a glimpse into her life and heart. I hope you enjoy hearing from her as much as I have. You can find Sylvia at softsweaterknits.com and on Instagram @softsweater.

Sponsor: Amirisu is a beautiful bilingual knitting print and digital magazine founded by Meri and Tokuko and created in Japan. Amirisu plays an vital role in this international fiber community of ours, is a key player in this editorial and inspirational world and one of my favorites. Each issue features patterns in both Japanese and English accompanied by beautifully written articles and photography. Currently out is the Winter 2017 issue, with Iceland inspired essays, articles and designs from Alice Caetano, Ash Alberg, Bethany Hick, Courtney Cederholm, Enjolina Campbell, Fiona Alice, Melynda Bernardi and Rie.You can find this and past issues, along with Japanese knitting and sewing books, Tulip Needles and other notions in the Amirisu shop at amirisu.com and a selection of local yarn shops. And make sure to follow Amirisu on Instagram @amirisushop to keep up with all the going ons.

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks giveaway is Morgen Daily. You’ve won a copy of Shannon’s book Long Way on a Little: An Earth Lover’s Companion for Enjoying Meat, Pinching Pennies and Living Deliciously by Shannon Hayes and a subscription to Romi Hills 2016 eBook, ‘7 resizable shawls’. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Sylvia McFadden and Woolful and we’re giving away a copy of Sylvia’s book Shawl Joy and a skein of Woolful’s Cottage yarn, a 50/50 blend of Cormo and Organic Cotton, to three lucky winners. To enter, leave a comment on this post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-75-sylvia-mcfadden-vancouver-mentorship-analytics-and-shawls/feed/173Episode 75: Sylvia McFadden - Vancouver, Mentorship, Analytics and ShawlsSylvia McFadden has a gift…evoking grace, calm and desire by combining wool, imagination and a keen eye for color and composition. I’ve been a big fan of Sylvia’s work for some time and am enamored by her designs and most recent book, Shawl Joy. Her tenacity for life and her various photography and youth based programs gives you a bit more of a glimpse into her life and heart. I hope you enjoy hearing from her as much as I have. You can find Sylvia at softsweaterknits.com and on Instagram @softsweater.Making 43:23
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4958Episode 74: Shannon Hayes – Professorship, Genetic Legacy, Multigenerational farming, and the Radical Homemakerhttp://woolful.com/episode-74-shannon-hayes-professorship-genetic-legacy-multigenerational-farming-and-the-radical-homemaker/
http://woolful.com/episode-74-shannon-hayes-professorship-genetic-legacy-multigenerational-farming-and-the-radical-homemaker/#commentsThu, 26 Jan 2017 08:00:01 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4924

Sponsor: Designs by Romi came about serendipitously in 2005 when designer Romi Hill began creating a collection of simple and elegant shawl pins as a solution to her problem of the shawls she’d worked so hard on, not staying put. What started as a bespoke side project, soon turned into passion, leading to knitwear designs many of us have come to love. Romi’s style transcends the common wardrobe, appealing to both novice and seasoned knitters. Her most recent eBook from the 7 Small Shawls Series, Asymmetry is a celebration of lace, a brilliant collection incorporating lace patterns with some of our favorite yarns. Make sure to check find this eBook on Ravelry. And on February 1st Romi will be releasing a new eBook subscription. And Feb 24-26, if you find yourself at Stitches West, make sure to stop by and say hi to Romi in person who will be at the Verb for Keeping Warm booth #917,919 and 921. You can find Design by Romi at designsbyromi.com and follow her on Instagram @romidesigns

Fiber folk: I first became captivated by Shannon Haye’s work when I came across her site after searching ‘Multigenerational Farming’ and quickly became engrossed in her blog and books. Shannon is an amazing storyteller, living and operating a multigenerational homestead and farm to table cafe with her husband, two daughters and parents in rural upstate New York. From meat to fiber, homeschooling and running a farm based business, I hope you enjoy hearing Shannon’s fiber and farm journey as much as I have. You can find Shannon, all their farm goods and her books at sapbush.com.

Photos by: Shannon Hayes, Stewart Cairns, Daily Gazette

Sponsor: Sunday Knits has quickly become one of my new favorite yarns to knit with. Started in 2008 by Carol Sunday, Sunday Knits is a collection of 4 merino and merino blend yarns and beautiful patterns designed by Carol. From the 100% extra-fine Australian merino to the French Angora, all their fibers are humanely sourced and then milled in Italy to Carol’s meticulous and caring specifications. Aside from this yarns obvious qualities, they’re a dream to knit with…so soft yet sturdy and the breadth of colors are beautiful and perfect for color work. And if you enjoy knitting shawls, make sure to take a look at Carol’s latest pattern, Soutache, featuring a 2-color brioche design…a little warmth and a lot of style makes this beautiful shawl a wardrobe staple, and an enjoyable knit, in any of Sunday Knits’ 3-ply yarns. You can also find kits for this design on their website. Visit Sunday Knits at sundayknits.com or if you can make a trip to Roscoe, Illinois near the Wisconsin state line, make an appointment to visit Sunday Knits gorgeous studio. You can follow on Instagram @carolsundayknits.

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks giveaway is Judith B. You’ve won a Reindeer doll from Erika Barrett and two skeins of Brooklyn General’s Barnwool. Congratulations!

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-74-shannon-hayes-professorship-genetic-legacy-multigenerational-farming-and-the-radical-homemaker/feed/111Episode 74: Shannon Hayes - Professorship, Genetic Legacy, Multigenerational farming, and the Radical HomemakerI first became captivated by Shannon Haye’s work when I came across her site after searching ‘Multigenerational Farming’ and quickly became engrossed in her blog and books. Shannon is an amazing storyteller, living and operating a multigenerational homestead and farm to table cafe with her husband, two daughters and parents in rural upstate New York. From meat to fiber, homeschooling and running a farm based business, I hope you enjoy hearing Shannon’s fiber and farm journey as much as I have. You can find Shannon, all their farm goods and her books at sapbush.com.<br />
<br />Making 67:37
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4924Episode 73: Erika Barratt – Grandmothers, Cirque du Soleil, West Elm and Heirloom dollshttp://woolful.com/episode-73-erika-barratt-grandmothers-cirque-du-soleil-west-elm-and-heirloom-dolls/
http://woolful.com/episode-73-erika-barratt-grandmothers-cirque-du-soleil-west-elm-and-heirloom-dolls/#commentsTue, 10 Jan 2017 22:00:49 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4902

Sponsor: Located in Historic Downtown Laramie, Wyoming, Cowgirl Yarn is a fiber-lover’s paradise. Their unique collection of scrumptious yarns, luxurious needles, fashion-forward patterns, one-of-a-kind accessories, and oodles of inspiration provides the ideal home for any and all knitters, crocheters, weavers, and spinners. They are proud to offer a large and exclusive selection of yarns and fibers that are produced in Wyoming. They also represent over 25 brands that are made in the USA as well as stock goods from 6 out of the 7 continents. Enjoy a taste of the world, of the United States, of Wyoming at Cowgirl Yarn. Make sure to visit cowgirlyarn.com for a list of their gatherings and classes, including their community gathering everyone Monday evening. And follow along with their fiber exploration on Facebook, Instagram, the Cowgirl Yarn blog or join our Email list.

Fiber folk: Erika Barratt has created a whimsical world from natural fibers and dyes, trimmings, buttons and do-dads. What began as a fiber fascination early in life, bloomed into a beautiful fiber journey that’s lead her to create heirloom dolls, each with their own story. I’ve long admired her attention to detail, use of natural fibers and the playfulness she brings to her work. I hope you enjoy her story as much as I have. You can find Erika at erikabarrattdesign.com and on Instagram @erika_barratt.

Sponsor: Brooklyn General Store was created in 2002 and is owned and operated by Catherine Clark. Tucked away on a sweet block West of the Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill neighborhoods, Brooklyn General Store is the enchanting fiber and textile emporium we all dream of. Dreams full of wooly goodness, yards and yards of fabric, felt, dyes, patterns, tools, and handmade gifts. A little old and a little new…a classic general store for the maker who loves to make their own everything. With a charming studio, the shop hosts a variety of wonderful classes taught by special folks including Cal Patch, Nguyen Le, Heather Love and many more. With it’s floor to ceiling shelves, old rolling ladders, and old wood floors, it feels as though you’ve stepped into a wooly wonderland…I so wish I lived closer and could adopt this shop as my own lys, but thankfully they have an online shop filled to the brim with all of their fiber and sewing goods and gifts…including their own yarn, Barnwool. So if you’re in the Brooklyn area or just passing through, visit Brooklyn General Store in person and find them online at brooklyngeneral.com and on Instagram @brooklyngeneralstore

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks giveaway is Hd. You’ve won the Ossify Mitts kit, featuring Stone Wool Cormo yarn in Tobacco 3 and Twig and Horn stitch markers and Brittany double point needle, congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Erika Barratt and Brooklyn General Store and they’re giving away Erika’s Reindeer doll and two skeins of Brooklyn General’s Barnwool. To enter, leave a comment on this post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-73-erika-barratt-grandmothers-cirque-du-soleil-west-elm-and-heirloom-dolls/feed/110Episode 73: Erika Barratt - Grandmothers, Cirque du Soleil, West Elm and Heirloom dollsErika Barratt has created a whimsical world from natural fibers and dyes, trimmings, buttons and do-dads. What began as a fiber fascination early in life, bloomed into a beautiful fiber journey that’s lead her to create heirloom dolls, each with their own story. I’ve long admired her attention to detail, use of natural fibers and the playfulness she brings to her work. I hope you enjoy her story as much as I have. You can find Erika at erikabarrattdesign.com and on Instagram @erika_barratt.Making 40:30
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4902Episode 72: Whitney Hayward – Small town roots, Japanese, Photojournalism, and Stone Woolhttp://woolful.com/episode-72-whitney-hayward-small-town-roots-japanese-photojournalism-and-stone-wool/
http://woolful.com/episode-72-whitney-hayward-small-town-roots-japanese-photojournalism-and-stone-wool/#commentsMon, 12 Dec 2016 19:34:32 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4875

Sponsor: By Hand is a series of lookbooks that focus on different fiber and fabric “making communities” around the country. Each serial features photo journals and interviews with both up-and-coming and well-known yarn designers and dyers, local yarn stores, knitwear designers, fabric artists, and other makers who share the same philosophy and aesthetic of hand crafting functional forms to share and connect with others in the community. Projects, patterns, classes, and opportunities to purchase the artists’ work are also included, as well as opportunities to share what is beautiful and unique about each locale.

Issue #1 features Portland, Oregon – meet local yarn dyers, designers, companies, and an amazing local yarn store. Find recipes, exclusive knitting patterns made from our featured yarns, and other hand craft projects. Learn about some of the artists who make up Portland’s creative community, including a pastry chef, an indigo dyer, a letterpress designer, and a team of ceramics artists. Find hand making classes in Portland that will inspire and challenge you. Take a photographic day trip to Timberline Lodge and enjoy the beauty and diversity of Portland.

Coming up: Issue #2, featuring Portland and mid-coast Maine (to be released late Jan. 2017), and Issue #3, featuring Nashville (to be released May 2017). Learn more about By Hand at byhandserial.com and follow on Instagram @byhandserial

Fiber folk: Whitney Hayward has her hands in a lot of fiber goodness these days and if you’re on Instagram you may be familiar with her journey, from photojournalist and spinning maven to Twig and Horn and now the launch of her yarn line, Stone Wool. Whitney’s ambition and passion is evident as she tells her special story, one I’m sure many of you will be able to relate to. You can find Whitney at thestonewool.co and twigandhorn.com and on Instagram @whit_knits, @stone_wool and @twigandhorn

Sponsor: Tightly Knit Designs is a line of patterns by Sloane Rosenthal, a knitwear designer and lawyer in Northern California. She’s just released her first book of patterns, Independent Fabrication, a collection of accessory patterns using lovingly-chosen small-batch yarns. The collection includes five quick-knitting, textured accessories, including two hats, a cowl, and two pairs of mitts, showcasing dramatic cables and other knitterly details that are surprisingly straightforward to work. The patterns feature yarns from outstanding producers of thoughtfully-made, responsibly-sourced small batch yarns, including Sincere Sheep, Elemental Affects, Miss Babs, Alpenglow Yarns, and Jill Draper. The collection is available as a print and eBook bundle, a standalone eBook, and in individual patterns. You can find Sloane and the Independent Fabrication collection at tightlyknitdesigns.com, and on Ravelry and Instagram @skrosenthal

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks giveaway is Teresa Cochran. You’ve won a subscription to Taproot Magazine, congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Twig and Horn and they’re giving away the Ossify Mitts kit, featuring Stone Wool Cormo yarn in Tobacco 3 and Twig and Horn stitch markers and Brittany double point needles. To enter, leave a comment on this post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-72-whitney-hayward-small-town-roots-japanese-photojournalism-and-stone-wool/feed/178Episode 72: Whitney Hayward - Small town roots, Japanese, Photojournalism, and Stone WoolWhitney Hayward has her hands in a lot of fiber goodness these days and if you’re on Instagram you may be familiar with her journey, from photojournalist and spinning maven to Twig and Horn and now the launch of her yarn line, Stone Wool. Whitney’s ambition and passion is evident as she tells her special story, one I’m sure many of you will be able to relate to. You can find Whitney at thestonewool.co and twigandhorn.com and on Instagram @whit_knits, @stone_wool and @twigandhornMaking 43:37
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4875Episode 71: Deborah Robson – Weaving, Editing, Heritage Conservation and the Fleece and Fiber Sourcebookhttp://woolful.com/episode-71-deborah-robson-weaving-editing-heritage-conservation-and-the-fleece-and-fiber-sourcebook/
http://woolful.com/episode-71-deborah-robson-weaving-editing-heritage-conservation-and-the-fleece-and-fiber-sourcebook/#commentsMon, 21 Nov 2016 22:05:52 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4831

Sponsor: Taproot Magazine, is a quarterly print magazine full of delightful stories and photos written by and for people living fuller and digging deeper. Each issue is created around a subtle theme, featuring amazing recipes, crafts, and tales, all with the intention of inspiring people who are interested in deepening their connections to their families, communities, and themselves as they strive to live locally and closer to the ground. The content in each issue consistently blows me away. It is fulfilling and inspiring. This coming weekend, Nov 26th is Small Business Saturday and Taproot will be launching their pop up shop, featuring all kinds of handcrafted goodies from tea to jewelry to ceramics and even a lip balm making kit. Make sure to visit taprootmag.com on Saturday to shop and support this very special curated selection of goods from makers we know and love.

And later this month the next issue of Taproot magazine SHARE will be arriving in your mailbox. And if you’re not already a subscriber, they’re offering $5 off a subscription or renewal with the code WOOLFUL. There is so much goodness in each issue. You can visit Taproot Magazine online at Taprootmag.com and on Instagram @taprootmag.

Fiber folk: There’s a very good chance today’s guest Deborah Robson is someone who you’re familiar with from her incredible book Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook, written in partnership Carol Ekarius. This book became a staple in my fiber library, introducing me to the vast array of sheep breeds and the qualities of their fibers. There’s a special story behind how this book came to be, along with Deborah’s rich fiber journey as a weaver, spinner, knitter and editor. I hope you enjoy getting to know this incredibly knowledgeable woman as much as I have. You can find Deborah at drobson.info.

Sponsor: I want to thank Taproot Magazine again for sponsoring this week’s episode. With the natural, easygoing and heartfelt focus of each issue, I find myself continuing to go back to it throughout the quarter, gaining a little something each time and looking forward to the upcoming issue. Make sure to renew or subscribe and receive $5 off with the code WOOLFUL. You can now also find the 2017 Taproot calendar with art by Jessica Roux. Visit Taprootmag.com and on Instagram @taprootmag.

Giveaway: The winners of last weeks giveaway are Leslie and Sara. Leslie you’ve won the Churchmouse Pressed Rib Cap pattern along with two skeins of mYak medium yarn and Sara you’ve won a caddy of Harney & Sons Cranberry Autumn Tea. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Taproot Magazine and we’re giving away a year subscription to this wonderful publication. To enter, leave a comment on this post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-71-deborah-robson-weaving-editing-heritage-conservation-and-the-fleece-and-fiber-sourcebook/feed/118Episode 71: Deborah Robson - Weaving, Editing, Heritage Conservation and the Fleece and Fiber SourcebookThere’s a very good chance today’s guest Deborah Robson is someone who you’re familiar with from her incredible book Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook, written in partnership Carol Ekarius. This book became a staple in my fiber library, introducing me to the vast array of sheep breeds and the qualities of their fibers. There’s a special story behind how this book came to be, along with Deborah’s rich fiber journey as a weaver, spinner, knitter and editor. I hope you enjoy getting to know this incredibly knowledgeable woman as much as I have. You can find Deborah at drobson.info.Making 54:24
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4831Episode 70: Paola Vanzo – Rural Italian heritage, Tibet, Family and mYakhttp://woolful.com/episode-70-paola-vanzo-rural-italian-heritage-tibet-family-and-myak/
http://woolful.com/episode-70-paola-vanzo-rural-italian-heritage-tibet-family-and-myak/#commentsSat, 05 Nov 2016 01:18:09 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4792

Sponsor: Churchmouse Yarns and Teas is nestled in the little alcove of Madrone Lane on the beautiful Bainbridge Island in the Puget Sound. Just up the street from the ferry, this was my first local yarn shop…a place I remember visiting in my teens, mesmerized and enchanted by this cozy yarn and tea emporium. It was what I dreamed of aspiring to as a knitter, a place I visited often over the years as I grew up and now look back on as a key memory in my fiber journey…a push in the right direction.

Churchmouse opened in 2000 with the intention to help people make their lives beautiful by making beautiful things. From their carefully curated selection of yarns, patterns, gifts and tea, it’s easy to see why Churchmouse has become a favorite for both local and distant knitters. Make sure to visit Churchmouse Yarns and Tea when in the Seattle and Olympic Peninsula area and visit online at churchmouseyarns.com to experience a bit of the magic from the coziness of your chair. And make sure to follow on Instagram @churchmouseyarns, and join the Churchmouse group on Ravelry for knitalongs and support from the design team.

Fiber folk: Paola is an amazing woman with an amazing story, from growing up in rural Italy to immersion in Tibetan life to finding herself in Brooklyn, with a family and a rich history and future for her fiber and textile company mYak. Like with many yarns, mYak has a rich story and impact on our global fiber community and I hope you enjoy getting to know Paola and the mYak vision as much as I have. You can find Paola at mYak.it and on Instagram @myak_us.

Sponsor: Flying Fibers is brought to you by the mother-daughter team of Jeri Robinson-Lawrence and Irina Lawrence. Both women are passionate about providing beautiful products to crafters of any skill, as well as promoting the preservation of rare breed sheep. In the yarn store, you can find a range of British yarns, including their exclusive yarn line, Yorkshire Medley.

In addition to owning a yarn shop, Jeri and Irina have a flock of rare breed Wensleydale sheep, and endangered Leicester Longwool sheep that they raise on their farm in York County. You can hear their fiber journey in episode 21 .

You can find Jeri and Irina at their yarn store in Landisville, PA, or in their booths at Maryland Sheep & Wool, and the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival. Visit flyingfibers.com and follow along on Instagram @flyingfibers

Fall/Winter Woolful Knitalong: This week was the kickoff of the year long Woolful and Biches & Buches knit along. Let’s celebrate the cooler seasons, casting on one of Biches & Buches patterns or with one of their yarns. You choose how you’d like to join the knitalong and then we’ll get started. Visit bichesetbuches.com to be inspired and find your project kit or yarn and look at the previous post for more info on this knit along.

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks giveaway is Nicki Norris, you’ve won the Mae Pullover pattern designed by Andrea Mowry along with the yarn to make it from YOTH, and a set of Petoskey stone stitch markers from Wool and Honey. Congratulations!

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-70-paola-vanzo-rural-italian-heritage-tibet-family-and-myak/feed/132Episode 70: Paola Vanzo - Rural Italian heritage, Tibet, Family and mYakPaola is an amazing woman with an amazing story, from growing up in rural Italy to immersion in Tibetan life to finding herself in Brooklyn, with a family and a rich history and future for her fiber and textile company mYak. Like with many yarns, mYak has a rich story and impact on our global fiber community and I hope you enjoy getting to know Paola and the mYak vision as much as I have. You can find Paola at mYak.it and on Instagram @myak_us.Making 66:16
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4792Woolful x Biches & Bûches Knitalonghttp://woolful.com/woolful-x-biches-buches-knitalong/
http://woolful.com/woolful-x-biches-buches-knitalong/#commentsMon, 31 Oct 2016 18:13:30 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4780

It’s been nearly a year since the last Woolful Knitalong and what a year it’s been. As we embark on these cozy wool filled seasons, it felt like the perfect time to celebrate with a special year-long knitalong, inspired by one of my favorite new companies, Biches & Bûches.

If you haven’t already listened to the story behind the mother-daughter company Biches & Bûches, you can listen here. Their natural aesthetic strikes such a strong chord with me, the designs, the fiber and the photography.

I’ve chosen to knit their no. 3 pullover, but here are some of my other favorites…

How: To participate in this knitalong you can do so by: knitting a Biches & Bûches design/kit OR knitting with Biches & Bûches yarn. It’s up to you, so go take a look at bichesetbuches.com and find your yarn or kit.

When: November 1st, 2016 This is a year long knitalong. Take 3 months, take a year!

What: Prizes and such will be given throughout the year, including Biches & Bûches and Woolful yarn and kits, and more. We’ll also be sharing special behind the scenes and stories with Biches & Bûches, and some fun design collaborations over the year.

Where: Make sure to post photos of WIPs and finished projects on Instagram or on the Knitalong Ravelry page so we can all follow along. Use hashtag #woolfulxbichesKAL. Post on your blog and share as well, just make sure to link back to this blog post. We can’t wait to see!

Sponsor: My Sister Knits is a locally owned and loved yarn shop located in For Collins, CO, minutes away from Historic Old Town and located in a carriage house. What started out as a small venture for founder Julie Luckasen, grew into a passionate community of creative minds. My Sister Knits provides a welcoming atmosphere for knitters of all types and skill levels, a place for people to gather and cultivate their passion for knitting, share and support one another. Join them each Tuesday night from 5-8pm for their Open Knitting Night. And make sure to visit mysisterknits.com to view their list of upcoming classes including, Learn to Knit, Latvian Mittens, Brioche, Knitting Backwards, and Intro to Stranded Colorwork. And if you find yourself in or around Fort Collins, make sure to visit this shop in person to find YOTH yarns and more. Follow on Instagram @mysisterknits

Fiber folk: It’s hard to put into words just how great the family behind Yarn on the House, or YOTH yarns is. Earlier this year I spent an evening with the whole crew and it was mesmerizing to watch the dynamic between each member, the love, the dedication and the consideration that makes this family run operation a joy and success. For anyone who’s even been in the same room as Veronika Jobe, knows the positive energy and enthusiasm this woman exudes. I hope as you listen today, you come away inspired by this family’s story and gratitude. You can find YOTH at yothyarns.com and on Instagram @yarnonthehouse.

Sponsor:Wool & Honey’s focus is on thoughtful companies who add their own stories to our little spot in the world–brands that highlight fibers that mirror the exquisite natural beauty of their area. Michigan fiber artists are paramount—and their selection of locally grown, dyed, spun yarns and fiber is unparalleled. The hive is the center of it all–it’s home. Home to bees of all ages and ability levels, each adding a bit of shine to a vibrant community. Every day, these tiny workers gather pollen–powdery bits of fluff–and with a little time and effort, transform it into gorgeous, golden nectar. How similar we knitters are to the bee! Taking nothing more than two sticks and a string, we create warmth and comfort, fabric to clothe and decorate our bodies.

Make sure to visit on Saturday October 29th from 10-4pm for the Brooklyn Tweed trunk show, full of surprises, samples to try on, patterns and special guest Jared Flood will be signing copies of his new book, Woolens. Visit woolandhoney.com for more info and in person for a selection of YOTH yarns and other wooly goods. Follow along on Instagram @woolandhoney.

Fall/Winter Woolful Knitalong: Beginning November 1st, let’s celebrate the cooler seasons with a Biches & Bûches inspired knitalong, casting on one of their patterns, kits or with one of their yarns. You choose how you’d like to join the knitalong and then we’ll get started. Visit http://www.bichesetbuches.com to be inspired and find your project kit or yarn and Monday I’ll be announcing further details of the podcast on the blog.

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks giveaway is Jamie Dear, you’ve won a sweaters worth of Purewash yarn and the R&R Hoodie by Tanis Fiber arts, Pumpkin Spice tea from Plum Deluxe, a skein of Moeke Stela yarn along with Lesley Robinson’s Mug Matt pattern. Congratulations!

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-69-veronika-jobe-danny-burda-family-czech-roots-road-trips-family-and-yarn-on-the-house/feed/184Sponsor: My Sister Knits is a locally owned and loved yarn shop located in For Collins, CO, minutes away from Historic Old Town and located in a carriage house. What started out as a small venture for founder Julie Luckasen,
Sponsor: My Sister Knits is a locally owned and loved yarn shop located in For Collins, CO, minutes away from Historic Old Town and located in a carriage house. What started out as a small venture for founder Julie Luckasen, grew into a passionate community of creative minds. My Sister Knits provides a welcoming atmosphere for knitters of all types and skill levels, a place for people to gather and cultivate their passion for knitting, share and support one another. Join them each Tuesday night from 5-8pm for their Open Knitting Night. And make sure to visit mysisterknits.com to view their list of upcoming classes including, Learn to Knit, Latvian Mittens, Brioche, Knitting Backwards, and Intro to Stranded Colorwork. And if you find yourself in or around Fort Collins, make sure to visit this shop in person to find YOTH yarns and more. Follow on Instagram @mysisterknits

Fiber folk: It’s hard to put into words just how great the family behind Yarn on the House, or YOTH yarns is. Earlier this year I spent an evening with the whole crew and it was mesmerizing to watch the dynamic between each member, the love, the dedication and the consideration that makes this family run operation a joy and success. For anyone who’s even been in the same room as Veronika Jobe, knows the positive energy and enthusiasm this woman exudes. I hope as you listen today, you come away inspired by this family’s story and gratitude. You can find YOTH at yothyarns.com and on Instagram @yarnonthehouse.

Sponsor:Wool & Honey’s focus is on thoughtful companies who add their own stories to our little spot in the world–brands that highlight fibers that mirror the exquisite natural beauty of their area. Michigan fiber artists are paramount—and their selection of locally grown, dyed, spun yarns and fiber is unparalleled. The hive is the center of it all–it’s home. Home to bees of all ages and ability levels, each adding a bit of shine to a vibrant community. Every day, these tiny workers gather pollen–powdery bits of fluff–and with a little time and effort, transform it into gorgeous, golden nectar. How similar we knitters are to the bee! Taking nothing more than two sticks and a string, we create warmth and comfort, fabric to clothe and decorate our bodies.
Make sure to visit on Saturday October 29th from 10-4pm for the Brooklyn Tweed trunk show, full of surprises, samples to try on, patterns and special guest Jared Flood will be signing copies of his new book, Woolens. Visit woolandhoney.com for more info and in person for a selection of YOTH yarns and other wooly goods. Follow along on Instagram @woolandhoney.

Fall/Winter Woolful Knitalong: Beginning November 1st, let’s celebrate the cooler seasons with a Biches & Bûches inspired knitalong, casting on one of their patterns, kits or with one of their yarns. You choose how you’d like to join the knitalong and then we’ll get started. Visit http://www.bichesetbuches.com to be inspired and find your project kit or yarn and Monday I’ll be announcing further details of the podcast on the blog.

Sponsor: Jane Richmond and Shannon Cook of Marian Rae Publications, the brilliant designers behind collections such as Journey and Seasonless have released their newest book, Within: Knitting Patterns to Warm the Soul. This beautifully photographed book takes you on a visual journey, through a world of modern rustic coziness designed to stimulated the sense and kindle inspiration. You’ll find six signature patterns, including accessories, a shawl, and what may become your new favorite everyday garments. Together, the pieces in this accessible collection make a function and beautiful addition to any knitter’s wardrobe. You can find Within on Ravelry, on mariaraepublications.com or look for it at your local yarn shop. Follow along on Instagram @soveryshannon and @janerichmond and make sure to tag your photos #withinknits.

Fiber folk: Nearly two years ago I received an email from Tanis Lavallee. It began as a conversation, which then spurred a new journey for her and her husband Chris’s seasoned hand dyed yarn business, Tanis Fiber Arts. It’s been inspiring to watch from afar and hear more about the leaps of faith these two have taken in their business over the years, as a husband and wife team, parents and entrepreneurs – so much hard work and dedication. I hope as you get to know Tanis today that you’ll be motivated to pursue your dreams, take those leaps of faith and inspired to stick with it for the long haul. You can find Tanis at tanisfiberarts.com and on Instagram @tanisfiberarts.

Sponsor: Plum Deluxe hand blended organic tea is like a good friend – one that you always look forward to hearing from. Plum Deluxe was founded in the Pacific Northwest by Andy Hayes, with the intention of creating a community online that you always look forward to visiting, whether that’s exploring their blog, joining their tea of the month club or creating a rich experience with their organic tea blends. It’s all about making moments that matter, whether with a warm cup of their Pumpkin Spice tea or whipping up a chai latte. Just as you can never have enough yarn in your stash, the same goes with tea. Visit plumdeluxe.com to join their organic tea of the month club, delivered to your doorstep each month for just $10. Explore all their amazing teas and add a few to your stash or find tasty recipes that pair perfectly with tea at plumdeluxe.com and follow along on Instagram @plumdeluxe

Fall/Winter Woolful Knitalong: Beginning November 1st, let’s celebrate the cooler seasons with a Biches & Bûches inspired knitalong, casting on one of their patterns, kits or with one of their yarns. You choose how you’d like to join the knitalong and then we’ll get started. Visit bichesetbuches.com to be inspired and look for more details later this month on the podcast and blog.

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks giveaway is Kristina Jelinek, you’ve won the Winter Mittens kit from Biches & Buches. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Tanis Fiber Arts, Plum Deluxe and myself and we’re giving away a copy of Tanis’s R&R Hoodie along with a sweaters worth of the PureWash yarn in the color of your choice, a bag of Plum Deluxe’s tasty organic Pumpkin Spice tea blend and a copy of Leslie Robinson’s Mug Mat pattern with a skein of Stela by Moeke Yarns. To enter, leave a comment on this blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-68-tanis-lavallee-leaps-married-operation-motherhood-and-tanis-fiber-arts/feed/557Episode 68: Tanis Lavallee - Leaps, married operation, motherhood and Tanis Fiber ArtsNearly two years ago I received an email from Tanis Lavallee. It began as a conversation, which then spurred a new journey for her and her husband Chris’s seasoned hand dyed yarn business, Tanis Fiber Arts. It’s been inspiring to watch from afar and hear more about the leaps of faith these two have taken in their business over the years, as a husband and wife team, parents and entrepreneurs - so much hard work and dedication. I hope as you get to know Tanis today that you’ll be motivated to pursue your dreams, take those leaps of faith and inspired to stick with it for the long haul. You can find Tanis at tanisfiberarts.com and on Instagram @tanisfiberarts.Making 51:57
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4735Episode 67: Astrid Troland and Caroline Skadhauge – Scandinavian roots, partnership, au naturel and Biches & Bûcheshttp://woolful.com/episode-67-astrid-troland-and-caroline-skadhauge-scandinavian-roots-partnership-au-naturel-and-biches-buches/
http://woolful.com/episode-67-astrid-troland-and-caroline-skadhauge-scandinavian-roots-partnership-au-naturel-and-biches-buches/#commentsFri, 16 Sep 2016 22:56:50 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4697

Sponsor: Tucked away into the heart of Leelanau County, where cherry trees, centennial farms and wine grapes meet the shores of Lake Michigan, is a knitter’s paradise and that place is Wool & Honey.

Wool & Honey’s focus is on thoughtful companies who add their own stories to our little spot in the world–brands that highlight fibers that mirror the exquisite natural beauty of their area. Michigan fiber artists are paramount—and their selection of locally grown, dyed, spun yarns and fiber is unparalleled. The hive is the center of it all–it’s home. Home to bees of all ages and ability levels, each adding a bit of shine to a vibrant community. Every day, these tiny workers gather pollen–powdery bits of fluff–and with a little time and effort, transform it into gorgeous, golden nectar. How similar we knitters are to the bee! Taking nothing more than two sticks and a string, we create warmth and comfort, fabric to clothe and decorate our bodies.

On September 27th from 7-9pm, Stephen West will be spending an evening at Wool & Honey, sipping cocktails, trying on his huge collection of knitted samples and listening to Stephen share the Westknits story. This event is free and everyone is welcome, so make sure to mark your calendars so you don’t miss this special evening and the big giveaway of the night, a HUGE basket filled with Stephen’s favorite yarns. Make sure to visit woolandhoney.com for more info on this and another exciting event in October, when Jared Flood and Julie Hoover of Brooklyn Tweed visit. Join them for brunch, knitting and tricks and tips and end the evening with a cocktail party. Tickets go on sale this month, so make sure to join the Wool and Honey newsletter and follow along on Instagram @woolandhoney.

Fiber folk: When I first happened upon the mother-daughter collaboration Biches & Bûches, I was starstruck. The nature inspired aesthetic and wholesome knits looked as if they had appeared out of one of my wooly dreams…or Pinterest boards and belonged in my wardrobe. But even better is the story behind this partnership, where they started and where they’re headed. Beginning with their Scandinavian roots, Astrid and Caroline have created something quite beautiful and moving…and I hope you’re as inspired as I. You can find Biches & Bûches at bichesetbuches.com and on Instagram at @bichesetbuches

Sponsor: Montana Green Insulation is located in Malta, Montana and is a family run operation, by Thayne Mackey, his wife and two children. In 2009 Thayne and his family downsized their farm and started Brookside Woolen Mill where they create their wool insulation product. They run an organic wool processing operation, with high efficiency heating systems, solar water heaters, recycling and settling ponds for waste water, bio-degradable soaps and eco-friendly disposal systems for the vegetable wastes produced by sheep. Their woolen products include Montana Green Sheep Wool Insulation, Reclamation and Revegetation Mats, and Bio-wix wattles and booms for petroleum spills on land and in water. We used the wool insulation for our yurt platform and decided to do so because of the incredible properties of wool insulation and it’s R-value. I hope you’ll consider learning more about wool insulation and using it for your next building project. Find Montana Green Insulation at montanagreeninsulation.com and listen to Thayne’s fiber journey in episode 43.

Fall/Winter Woolful Knitalong: It’s been nearly a year since I’ve hosted a knit along and the Fall/Winter season seems the perfect time to start anew in some wooly pursuits. I’ve found the hardest thing with knitalongs is to keep up…the intention is there, but then life happens; work, deadlines, family, new projects…and you loose steam and often the project goes unfinished. So a yearly instead of quarterly knit along seems more fitting. We’ll still have relative dates set for prizes and such, but if it takes us the whole year, so be it.

So beginning November 1st, let’s celebrate the cooler seasons with a Biches & Bûches inspired knitalong, casting on one of their patterns, kits or with one of their yarns. You choose how you’d like to join the knitalong and then we’ll get started. Visit bichesetbuches.com to be inspired and look for more details in an upcoming podcast and blog post.

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks giveaway is Beth Everson, you’ve won the Yarnicorn Cowl pattern and kit from Knit Collage. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Biches & Bûches and they’re giving away their newest project kit that’s yet to be released, their first Winter mittens kit. The winner will receive a kit in the color combination of their choice, which includes two balls of Biches & Bûches Petite yarn. To enter, leave a comment on this blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-67-astrid-troland-and-caroline-skadhauge-scandinavian-roots-partnership-au-naturel-and-biches-buches/feed/232Episode 67: Astrid Troland and Caroline Skadhauge - Scandinavian roots, partnership, au naturel and Biches & BûchesWhen I first happened upon the mother-daughter collaboration Biches & Bûches, I was starstruck. The nature inspired aesthetic and wholesome knits looked as if they had appeared out of one of my wooly dreams…or Pinterest boards and belonged in my wardrobe. But even better is the story behind this partnership, where they started and where they’re headed. Beginning with their Scandinavian roots, Astrid and Caroline have created something quite beautiful and moving…and I hope you’re as inspired as I. You can find Biches & Bûches at bichesetbuches.com and on Instagram at @bichesetbuchesMaking 48:18
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4697Woolfolk FW16: LØS and KURVhttp://woolful.com/woolfolk-fw16-los-and-kurv/
http://woolful.com/woolfolk-fw16-los-and-kurv/#respondThu, 08 Sep 2016 20:43:11 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4674How is it September already? It’s officially Fall here on the ranch, and on the turn of a dime. Last week we went from the 90s to the low 50s…leaves are turning and falling…the stove has been lit…all the animals are ready for hay…and my knits are out of the drawers. Mmm I love this time of year, and even more so when the seasons are so distinct and welcoming.

I’ve actually been dreaming about this time of year since January when I began designing two pieces for Woolfolk’s FW16 collection, which made its debut today. What an honor to be alongside inspirational folks such as Julie Hoover, Michele Wang, Norah Gaughan, Bristol Ivy, Melanie Berg, Laura Chau, Olga Buraya-Kefelian and Antonia Shankland.

But none of this would be possible without the dynamo that is Kristin Ford, creator of Woolfolk – a woman with impeccable taste, skilled designer, cattle rancher, arborist, and friend who’s always good for a laugh. You can listen to her story here.

LØS is a simple pullover that incorporates sequence knitting principals, specifically a serpentine pattern. I was inspired to design this piece after getting to know Cecelia Campochiaro and her book, Sequence Knitting. Woolfolk yarn makes the perfect pairing. You can find LØS, here on Ravelry.

KURV is an oversized study in the relationship between Får and Hygge, worked in a low contrast diagonal weave pattern, creating a lofty all encompassing scarf. This design had been floating around in my head for nearly two years and when I received my first skein of Hygge, I knew this was the yarn to make it happen. You can find KURV, here on Ravelry.

And here are a few of my favorites from the collection, though each are so lovely in their own way.

Sponsor: NorthCoast Knittery is a favorite in Humbolt county, with it’s charming storefront in Eureka California. NorthCoast Knittery opened it’s doors in 2008, with the hope to create a unique gathering place for fiber folk and help expand the local fiber community. It’s a wonderful spot to meet friends and work on projects as you enjoy a cup of tea. They offer a variety of classes and workshops, helping enhance your skill levels and each Thursday at 6pm they host a Sip & Knit social evening.

This month NorthCoast Knittery is hosting the “Knitting in the Redwoods” retreat. Four nights of relaxation, stories, delicious farm to table meals, great company and the peaceful surroundings of the Klamath river and Redwood National Park. The retreat takes place at the historic Requa Inn, and each day will bring a new workshop and special treat showcasing the incredible area.

Fiber folk: From kitchen sink sweaters to yarns, and from living abroad to settling into motherhood, Amy Small of Knit Collage has carved out a special place within the fiber community…creating some of the most whimsical and colorful yarns, all spun by hand. Amy’s laugh and charisma will leave you smiling and inspired to go after what’s most exciting…whether it’s a project or your fiber dreams. You find Amy at knitcollage.com and on Instagram @knitcollage.

Sponsor: Moeke Yarns was founded by Ioana van Deurzen in 2014, alongside her brother Radu, his wife and their parents. Ioana and her family have an incredible story, which you can hear about in Episode 8, and this story is what spurred the dream and now reality of creating a yarn company. The Moeke yarns are full of character, from the unique European breeds they’re made of, to the traditional Romanian spinning mills. From her childhood, growing up in Romania during the revolution, her immersion in fiber through her grandmother and her purposeful journey to bring something back to the Romanian community, Moeke yarns is one of my favorite yarns and I hope it becomes one of yours as well.

And beginning September 12th is the MY Makealong, an international event dedicated to knitting, crocheting and weaving. This make along is a celebration of fiber arts, bringing together designers, makers and shop owners who all share the same values: a deep love for making and respect for nature, while being committed to helping preserve the local traditions and economies. You can find more info on how to join at moeke-yarns.com and on Instagram @moekeyarns. Visit Ravelry for a selection of beautiful patterns created with Moeke Yarns, designed by Junko Okamoto, Francoise Danoy, Susan Vische and more. And you can find a list of shops carrying Moeke yarns and fabric at moeke-yarns.com.

Shop update:This past week I updated the shop with a restock of your favorite Moeke Yarns, including those needed to join the Moeke Yarns Make along. You’ll also find a couple new Cormo blend and alpaca yarns…just in time for Fall knitting. Visit woolfulmercantile.com

Giveaway: The winners of last weeks giveaway are Melissa, you’ve won the Dancing Bears Shawl pattern and kit from Sunday Knits and Camille you’ve won Susan Anderson’s latest book String Along Toys. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Knit Collage and they’re giving away the Yarnicorn Cowl pattern and kit.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-66-amy-small-free-people-hong-kong-the-kitchen-sink-and-knit-collage/feed/61Episode 66: Amy Small - Free People, Hong Kong, the kitchen sink and Knit CollageFrom kitchen sink sweaters to yarns, and from living abroad to settling into motherhood, Amy Small of Knit Collage has carved out a special place within the fiber community…creating some of the most whimsical and colorful yarns, all spun by hand. Amy’s laugh and charisma will leave you smiling and inspired to go after what’s most exciting…whether it’s a project or your fiber dreams. You find Amy at knitcollage.com and on Instagram @knitcollage.Making 45:24
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4654Episode 65: Susan Anderson – Wisconsin homegrown, teaching, learning to write a book and knit toyshttp://woolful.com/episode-65-susan-anderson-wisconsin-homegrown-teaching-learning-to-write-a-book-and-knit-toys/
http://woolful.com/episode-65-susan-anderson-wisconsin-homegrown-teaching-learning-to-write-a-book-and-knit-toys/#commentsFri, 19 Aug 2016 17:50:04 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4631

Sponsor: Knit City is the premiere fibre arts festival in Western Canada, showcasing local fibre artists such as dyers, spinners, weavers, pattern designers and notion makers. It also hosts a wide spectrum of Canadian and International knitting and other textile craft instructors. This special event is taking place in Vancouver BC, October 1-2, 2016 and this year marks the 5th anniversary of the show. Featuring classes and lectures from some amazing folks, including todays guest Susan Anderson, a large vendor Marketplace, free demonstrations, local food trucks and more. Knit City is proudly produced by Amanda Milne and Fiona McLean of Knit Social Event Co. To find out more info and register, visit knitsocial.ca and follow along on Instagram @knitsocial

Fiber folk: When I think about fiber folks who I’ve been most inspired by over the years, Susan Anderson is one of the first that comes to mind. The first knitting book I ever bought was her Itty Bitty Toys book, and it became dogeared and well loved. Since that time I’ve come to realize the joy and spark Susan brings to our fiber worlds…through her infectious passion behind what she does and her loyal dedication to her community. I hope as you listen today that you come to love Susan as much as so many of us do. You can find Susan at susanbanderson.blogspot.com and on Instagram @susanbanderson

Photos: Susan Anderson / Carrie Hoge / Snail Stitches / Quince and Co

Sponsor: Sunday Knits has quickly become one of my new favorite yarns to knit with. Started in 2008 by Carol Sunday, Sunday Knits is a collection of 4 merino and merino blend yarns and beautiful patterns designed by Carol. From the 100% extra-fine Australian merino to the French Angora, all their fibers are humanely sourced and then milled in Italy to Carol’s meticulous and caring specifications. Aside from this yarns obvious qualities, they’re a dream to knit with…so soft yet sturdy and the breadth of colors are beautiful and perfect for color work. And if you enjoy knitting shawls, make sure to take a look at Carol’s latest pattern, Dancing with Bears, a little warmth and a lot of style makes this beautiful shawl a wardrobe staple, and an enjoyable knit, in any of Sunday Knits’ 5-ply yarns. Visit Sunday Knits at sundayknits.com or if you can make a trip to Roscoe, Illinois near the Wisconsin state line, make an appointment to visit Sunday Knits gorgeous studio. You can follow on Instagram @carolsundayknits

New pattern: And today I’ve released my newest design for Little Woolens, the Weston hat pattern. I first came up with this design when I was pregnant with my son and over the years I’ve knit countless variations for friends and family…waiting to take the time to write the pattern and share it with all of you. It’s the perfect quick knit, and just in time for Fall. You can find it on Ravelry, search for the Weston hat.

Giveaway: The winners of last weeks giveaway are Branwynne, Amaia and Annie, you’ve each won a bag of various Habu yarns to experiment and play with. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaways are sponsored by Sunday Knits and Susan Anderson. Sunday Knits is giving away the Dancing with Bears Shawl pattern and kit and Susan Anderson is giving away a pdf copy of her most recent toys book String Along Toys made with Quince and Co yarns. To enter and be one of the winners, leave a comment on this post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-65-susan-anderson-wisconsin-homegrown-teaching-learning-to-write-a-book-and-knit-toys/feed/118Episode 65: Susan Anderson - Wisconsin homegrown, teaching, learning to write a book and knit toysWhen I think about fiber folks who I’ve been most inspired by over the years, Susan Anderson is one of the first that comes to mind. The first knitting book I ever bought was her Itty Bitty Toys book, and it became dogeared and well loved. Since that time I’ve come to realize the joy and spark Susan brings to our fiber worlds…through her infectious passion behind what she does and her loyal dedication to her community. I hope as you listen today that you come to love Susan as much as so many of us do. You can find Susan at susanbanderson.blogspot.com and on Instagram @susanbandersonMaking 55:35
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4631Episode 64: Takako Ueki – Japanese childhood, Catholic boarding school, discovering in America, fiber fascination, and Habuhttp://woolful.com/episode-64-takako-ueki-japanese-childhood-catholic-boarding-school-discovering-in-america-fiber-fascination-and-habu/
http://woolful.com/episode-64-takako-ueki-japanese-childhood-catholic-boarding-school-discovering-in-america-fiber-fascination-and-habu/#commentsThu, 28 Jul 2016 20:01:25 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4605

Sponsor: Knit Purl is a wonderfully motivating yarn shop in Portland, Oregon founded by Darcy Cameron in 2004, with the intention to create a unique curated experience for yarn buyers. They’ve worked closely with local, regional and international makers and designers to provide a one of a kind experience, to fuel creativity for fiber and design enthusiasts. Each month they offer a great calendar of classes and events, and every other Wednesday you can join other fiber folk for Knit Night at 6pm. Make sure to stop by in person when in Portland and shop their large selection of yarns including Habu yarns at knit-purl.com. And find them on Instagram @knitpurlpdx

And from now until July 31st, Knit Purl is offering a 10% discount on all lace weight yarns, including some of our favorite Habu yarns. Use the code LACE2016 in all caps during checkout.

Fiber folk: Fiber fascination is something we can all relate too, discovering new yarns both rustic and soft…but Takako of Habu Textiles and yarns takes that fascination to a completely new level, resulting in over a hundred varieties of silk, stainless steel, paper, linen, bamboo, cotton, hemp and even pineapple fiber. If you’ve ever come across Habu in your local yarn shop and stood in wonder at all these incredible yet sometimes intimidating yarns and wondered who is behind all this? Well that someone is Takako Ueki, and she’s a wonder in herself. I hope you’ll be inspired by her story and explore her amazing yarns and all the gorgeous garments and projects designed in them. You can find Takako at habutextiles.com and on Instagram @habutextiles.

Photos: Habu / Olga Buraya-Kefelian / Vanessa Yap-Einbund / Scout

Sponsor: I wanted to make sure and thank today’s sponsor again, Knit Purl. Along with their impactful presence as a local yarn shop in Portland, Oregon, they’ve put together a dream collection of yarns in their online shop, including some of my favorites, Woolfolk, Habu, Brooklyn Tweed, Sincere Sheep, Swans Island and Twirl. To find these yarns, along with patterns and notions visit knit-purl.com. And through the end of this month, Knit Purl is celebrating Lace Month, use code LACE2016 for 10% all lace yarns.

In Residence:I’m excited to finally share the newest addition to the Woolful podcast, In Residence. Each quarter we’ll be joined by a farmer, designer, entrepreneur and artist in residence…discussing topics and questions asked by you the listeners. This week we’ll be hearing from photographer in residence, Kathy Cadigan…superb photographer, stunning knitter, and a great listener and friend. Our questions this week comes from Amy Tozer, you can find Amy on Instagram @urban_farm_wife.

Amy asks: How do you approach photographing knitwear? Do you try to capture the garment or are you trying to evoke a feeling? With pattern photography, I feel the need to create both compelling photographs, but also honest and complete photographs of a garment, and sometimes these are separate photographs. I would love to hear all about Kathy’s process. Does she do the styling, or does the designer do that?

Shop update:It’s been a long time since I’ve given an update on the Woolful Mercantile, my little shop of farm yarns. As we begin to gear up for Fall I’ll be sharing a variety of new and restocked yarns, all of which I’m very excited about. Check woolfulmercantile.com later this week for all the updates.

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks giveaway is Michelle, you’ve won 10 skeins of Wool Days Scout yarn and a copy of cabinfour’s sock pattern Sunday Morning Socks. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Habu and they’re giving away a bag of assorted Habu yarns to three listeners. This is an excellent opportunity to experience a taste of all Habu has to offer. To enter and be one of the three winners, leave a comment on this blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-64-takako-ueki-japanese-childhood-catholic-boarding-school-discovering-in-america-fiber-fascination-and-habu/feed/161Episode 64: Takako Ueki - Japanese childhood, Catholic boarding school, discovering in America, fiber fascination, and HabuFiber fascination is something we can all relate too, discovering new yarns both rustic and soft…but Takako of Habu Textiles and yarns takes that fascination to a completely new level, resulting in over a hundred varieties of silk, stainless steel, paper, linen, bamboo, cotton, hemp and even pineapple fiber. If you’ve ever come across Habu in your local yarn shop and stood in wonder at all these incredible yet sometimes intimidating yarns and wondered who is behind all this? Well that someone is Takako Ueki, and she’s a wonder in herself. I hope you’ll be inspired by her story and explore her amazing yarns and all the gorgeous garments and projects designed in them. You can find Takako at habutextiles.com and on Instagram @habutextiles.Making 49:16
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4605Episode 63: Marta Bahillo – A grandmothers legacy, Spanish linen and artisans, entrepreneurism alongside motherhood and babaàhttp://woolful.com/episode-63-marta-bahillo-a-grandmothers-legacy-spanish-linen-and-artisans-entrepreneurism-alongside-motherhood-and-babaa/
http://woolful.com/episode-63-marta-bahillo-a-grandmothers-legacy-spanish-linen-and-artisans-entrepreneurism-alongside-motherhood-and-babaa/#commentsFri, 22 Jul 2016 19:01:09 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4575

Sponsor: Wool Days is an Australian based wool company, co founded by Megan Elizabeth with a mission to create a purposeful connection between where things come from and the people who love them and share the message that wool has the ability to heal, warm and delight. To connect with people who adore those special days spent slow dancing with the things that bring them true happiness. There is a world of inspiration and joy that fuels kindness and creativity in all of us, and the hope is that Wool days is a source of inspiration and joy for those who love good wool. Wool Days has created a most comforting and beautiful yarn, Scout, a single source, Australian Merino yarn. Our wants are simple, and they are grand – give us good wool and our imagination to please. A pot of tea and our knitting. Everyone has their own special ingredients for elevating their day, and the honest hope is the Wool days will be an essential part of that experience. You can find out so much more about Wool days and Scout yarn at wooldays.com, and follow along on Instagram @wooldays.

Fiber folk: Our fiber world is far stretching and diverse, and learning about our farther reaching fiber folks is one of my favorite parts of this podcast. Marta Bahillo dwells in Madrid with her husband, and young daughter and son. Her textile adventures and efforts came across my radar a couple years ago and I was fascinated by her commitment to sourcing and production through local artisans as well as the rich story behind her clothing brand babaà. She’s navigating relationships, motherhood and building a business with a fiery passion and grace and I hope you enjoy hearing a bit of her journey as much as I did. You can find Marta at babaa.es and on Instagram @babaaknitwear

Sponsor: Wing and a Prayer Farm is a fiber farm with beautiful pastures in Shaftsbury, Vermont and maker of some of the most delicious Shetland and true farm yarns I’ve had the privilege of using. The owner and operator of Wing and a Prayer farm is Tammy White, an incredible woman with a huge heart for both human and animal and everything in between. I’ve had the privilege of watching part of her fiber journey unfold as she shared a bit of her story in Episode 16 and has taken such care in creating a collection of yarns from her fiber flock which consists of Cotswold, Cormo, Shetland, Corriedale, Merino, Mohair and Alpaca…resulting in yarns that are a pleasure to knit with and wear.

Join Vermont farmer Tammy White at Wing & A Prayer Farm on Sunday, July 31st for a Natural Dyeing Workshop. You’ll learn sustainable methods, and experiment with locally foraged dye-stuffs to produce rich, natural colors with her farm’s yarn. Visit wingandaprayerfarm.com or more details or email Tammy at hello@wingandaprayerfarm.com to register.

You can also follow along with all the Wing and a Prayer Farm shenanigans on Instagram @wingandaprayerfarm

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks giveaway is Tera, you’ve won a skein of Qiviut and Stinging Nettle yarn from the Large Animal Research Station in Alaska. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Wool Days and they’re giving away 10 skeins of their new and very amazing Scout yarn, a dk weight 100% Australian Merino yarn. You’ll receive 2 skeins in each of their 5 color ways. You’ll also receive a copy of cabinfour’s newest sock pattern, Sunday Morning Socks, designed in Wool Days Scout yarn.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-63-marta-bahillo-a-grandmothers-legacy-spanish-linen-and-artisans-entrepreneurism-alongside-motherhood-and-babaa/feed/229 Sponsor: Wool Days is an Australian based wool company, co founded by Megan Elizabeth with a mission to create a purposeful connection between where things come from and the people who love them and share the message that wool has the ability to heal...
Sponsor: Wool Days is an Australian based wool company, co founded by Megan Elizabeth with a mission to create a purposeful connection between where things come from and the people who love them and share the message that wool has the ability to heal, warm and delight. To connect with people who adore those special days spent slow dancing with the things that bring them true happiness. There is a world of inspiration and joy that fuels kindness and creativity in all of us, and the hope is that Wool days is a source of inspiration and joy for those who love good wool. Wool Days has created a most comforting and beautiful yarn, Scout, a single source, Australian Merino yarn. Our wants are simple, and they are grand – give us good wool and our imagination to please. A pot of tea and our knitting. Everyone has their own special ingredients for elevating their day, and the honest hope is the Wool days will be an essential part of that experience. You can find out so much more about Wool days and Scout yarn at wooldays.com, and follow along on Instagram @wooldays.

Fiber folk: Our fiber world is far stretching and diverse, and learning about our farther reaching fiber folks is one of my favorite parts of this podcast. Marta Bahillo dwells in Madrid with her husband, and young daughter and son. Her textile adventures and efforts came across my radar a couple years ago and I was fascinated by her commitment to sourcing and production through local artisans as well as the rich story behind her clothing brand babaà. She’s navigating relationships, motherhood and building a business with a fiery passion and grace and I hope you enjoy hearing a bit of her journey as much as I did. You can find Marta at babaa.es and on Instagram @babaaknitwear

Sponsor: Wing and a Prayer Farm is a fiber farm with beautiful pastures in Shaftsbury, Vermont and maker of some of the most delicious Shetland and true farm yarns I’ve had the privilege of using. The owner and operator of Wing and a Prayer farm is Tammy White, an incredible woman with a huge heart for both human and animal and everything in between. I’ve had the privilege of watching part of her fiber journey unfold as she shared a bit of her story in Episode 16 and has taken such care in creating a collection of yarns from her fiber flock which consists of Cotswold, Cormo, Shetland, Corriedale, Merino, Mohair and Alpaca…resulting in yarns that are a pleasure to knit with and wear.
Join Vermont farmer Tammy White at Wing & A Prayer Farm on Sunday, July 31st for a Natural Dyeing Workshop. You’ll learn sustainable methods, and experiment with locally foraged dye-stuffs to produce rich, natural colors with her farm’s yarn. Visit wingandaprayerfarm.com or more details or email Tammy at hello@wingandaprayerfarm.com to register.
You can also follow along with all the Wing and a Prayer Farm shenanigans on Instagram @wingandaprayerfarm

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks giveaway is Tera, you’ve won a skein of Qiviut and Stinging Nettle yarn from the Large Animal Research Station in Alaska. Congratulations!
This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Wool Days and they’re giving away 10 skei...]]>Making 35:30
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4575Episode 62: Avril Freeman – The Last Frontier, Volunteering, Motherhood, and Qiviut farminghttp://woolful.com/episode-62-avril-freeman-last-frontier-volunteering-motherhood-qiviut-farming/
http://woolful.com/episode-62-avril-freeman-last-frontier-volunteering-motherhood-qiviut-farming/#commentsThu, 30 Jun 2016 19:57:28 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4554

Sponsor: Every year there is a special place, on a lake in New Hampshire, where people gather to explore their creativity, healing and community. This place is called Squam. Behind this goodness is one remarkable woman by the name of Elizabeth Duvivier, someone who’s sought out to find her path and enlightenment in this creative world, bringing souls together and taking just as much away from each experience as those who attend. The FALL SQUAM RETREAT is taking place this September, complete with twinkle lights, generous teachers, sweet walks through the woods, vintage cottages, laughter on the dock, some very incredible workshops and ending with a Gather Here Bash pre-fair party and the SQUAM ART FAIR Saturday night. Join classes with incredible fiber folks like Maryanne Moodie, Anne Wood, Arne + Carlos, and Norah Gaughan – also on hand will be Jared Flood, Tif Fussell, Jaime + Amber of Fancy Tiger and so many other lovely spirits. There are still a few spots open so if this has been calling to you there is still time to register and make your travel plans to attend. Visit squamartworkshops.comfor full details.

Fiber folk: It’s always inspiring to receive emails from young fiber folks finding their way in this fiber world, hearing their story and being inspired as I continue to on my own fiber journey. Avril Freeman is one such person, having found herself in Alaska working with Muskox and Reindeer at the Large Animal Research Station (LARS). Her involvement in the Fairbanks fiber community spans from collecting Qiviut fiber from the Muskox, helping organize the Fairbanks Fiber Festival and making fiber goods for the Large Animal Research Station’s shop. And with her new adventures in motherhood, she has en exciting future ahead of her. You can find Avril at muskoxuaf.org and on Instagram @avrilcultural.

Sponsor: Yarn Along the Rockies is a yarn crawl on the front range of Colorado that features 18 shops from Colorado Springs to Boulder. YATR spans 9 days from August 20th – 28th. Yarn Crawl participants can take a Passport Tour of participating yarn shops for a chance to win one of five grand prizes as well as enter to win prize baskets at each store and participating shops will each have a free pattern available for crawlers as well as a free shop pin. If you visit 4 stores or more during the 9 day yarn crawl to get a free commemorative stitch marker. If you’re a Colorado resident or visiting in August, you don’t want to miss this fiber community event. Visit yarnalongtherockies.com for a printable list of participating shops and more info on this exciting event. And find them on Instagram @yarnalongtherockies.

In Residence:And for those anticipating the start of the new “In Residence” podcast segment, we’ve been receiving some great questions for our residents and decided to leave it open a little longer to collect more feedback from listeners…so the first In Residence segment will air in July! I’m looking forward to it, I hope you are too.

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks giveaway is April, you’ve won 10 skeins of Acadia yarn in the color Driftwood from The Fibre Company and East London Knit’s Zen Variations collection. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Avril and the Large Animal Research Station and they’re giving away a precious skein of blended Qiviut and Stinging Nettle yarn.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-62-avril-freeman-last-frontier-volunteering-motherhood-qiviut-farming/feed/99Episode 62: Avril Freeman - The Last Frontier, Volunteering, Motherhood, and Qiviut farmingIt’s always inspiring to receive emails from young fiber folks finding their way in this fiber world, hearing their story and being inspired as I continue to on my own fiber journey. Avril Freeman is one such person, having found herself in Alaska working with Muskox and Reindeer at the Large Animal Research Station (LARS). Her involvement in the Fairbanks fiber community spans from collecting Qiviut fiber from the Muskox, helping organize the Fairbanks Fiber Festival and making fiber goods for the Large Animal Research Station’s shop. And with her new adventures in motherhood, she has en exciting future ahead of her. You can find Avril at muskoxuaf.org and on Instagram @avrilcultural.Making 32:32
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4554Episode 61: Saremy Duffy – Fashion school, Farm life, Pattern Drafting and Chicken Bootshttp://woolful.com/episode-61-saremy-duffy-fashion-school-farm-life-pattern-drafting-chicken-boots/
http://woolful.com/episode-61-saremy-duffy-fashion-school-farm-life-pattern-drafting-chicken-boots/#commentsThu, 23 Jun 2016 22:45:33 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4536

Sponsor: Yarn, a sweet shop for yarn addicts, created by Sunni Scrivner in Eureka, California. Sunni’s love of color is reflected in her warm and soulful shop. Her in-shop pattern line called, Sweet Shop Patterns is available in the store and on their website at yarn-fun.com, where you can also find information about classes and other special events, including their week long “Craft Camp for Kids”, which begins this upcoming Monday and covers fun fiber crafts such as finger knitting, weaving, felting, and more. Call the shop to reserve a spot for this fun event. Make sure to visit Yarn when in Humboldt county and follow along on Instagram @yarnfun418.

Fiber folk: I love meeting people in this the fiber industry that surprise you with their story, and Saremy is one of those people. From fashion school to farm life, articulation pattern drafting and now Chicken Boots, her life has been full of adventure and a lot of hard work. It’s inspiring to watch someone who is so dedicated to domestic production, working for themselves and creating a high quality product. You can find Saremy at chickenbootsusa.com and on Instagram @chickenbootsusa.

Sponsor: East London Knit was founded by Renée Callahan, a knitwear designer and teacher living in England. After studying fashion design with knitwear at Central Saint Martins college, she began to hoard yarn and a range of knitting machines. The machines are mostly gone now, but her love of knitting and textiles grew more than ever before and she finds the technical challenge of knitting and the unlimited potential of a skein of yarn one of life’s great pleasures. She’s just released her latest knitwear designs, The Zen Variations, a collection of sweaters featuring The Fibre Co. Acadia yarn that embraces the idea that knitting is a physical meditation. Each sweater begins in the same way with a top-down, set-in sleeve construction, and then develops with variations on the theme of Zen. Each pattern has a simple, clean design to showcase the rustic beauty of the Acadia yarn. You can find Renée and The Zen Variations at eastlondonknit.co.uk, on Ravelry and on Instagram @eastlondonknit.

Giveaway: The winners of last weeks giveaway is Katie T, you’ve won a 4oz. batt of the Summer Maine Fiber Club from PortFiber and Lisa, you’re the winner of a $30 gift card to PortFiber’s online Etsy shop. Congratulations!

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-61-saremy-duffy-fashion-school-farm-life-pattern-drafting-chicken-boots/feed/85Episode 61: Saremy Duffy - Fashion school, Farm life, Pattern Drafting and Chicken BootsI love meeting people in this the fiber industry that surprise you with their story, and Saremy is one of those people. From fashion school to farm life, articulation pattern drafting and now Chicken Boots, her life has been full of adventure and a lot of hard work. It’s inspiring to watch someone who is so dedicated to domestic production, working for themselves and creating a high quality product. You can find Saremy at chickenbootsusa.com and on Instagram @chickenbootsusa.Making 49:13
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4536Episode 60: Casey Ryder – Endearment, Ultimate Frisbee, Mindfulness and PortFiberhttp://woolful.com/episode-60-casey-ryder-endearment-ultimate-frisbee-mindfulness-and-portfiber/
http://woolful.com/episode-60-casey-ryder-endearment-ultimate-frisbee-mindfulness-and-portfiber/#commentsFri, 10 Jun 2016 00:17:26 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4519

Sponsor: Taproot Magazine, is a quarterly print magazine full of delightful stories and photos written by and for people living fuller and digging deeper. Each issue is created around a subtle theme, featuring amazing recipes, crafts, and tales, all with the intention of inspiring people who are interested in deepening their connections to their families, communities, and themselves as they strive to live locally and closer to the ground. The content in each issue consistently blows me away. It is fulfilling and inspiring. The most recent issue PRESERVE features a collection of wonderful finds as we step in Summer. With lessons in arm knitting, preserved lemon and infusion recipes, stories in farming and woolworking, and a collection of preserving how-tos. There is so much goodness in each issue. You can visit Taproot Magazine online at Taprootmag.com and on Instagram @taprootmag.

Fiber folk: It’s no secret that Maine is one of the epicenters of this fiber world, with its designers and yarn companies, but a lesser known but just as vital part of this community are the shops, more specifically PortFiber, a special fiber, spinning, dyeing and weaving oasis in Portland, Maine. Casey Ryder, the owner of PortFiber found herself on a path that’s lead her to finding further fulfillment in making and building part of this fiber community. You can find Casey at portfiber.com and on Instagram @portfiber.

Sponsor: I want to thank Taproot Magazine again for sponsoring this week’s episode. With the natural, easygoing and heartfelt focus of each issue, I find myself continuing to go back to it throughout the quarter, gaining a little something each time and looking forward to the upcoming issue. Just recently I pulled out the archive issue BREAD, with plans to build a cob oven in our backyard. I’m looking forward to getting started. I highly recommend you visit Taprootmag.com and subscribe.

In Residence:I’m excited to share a new weekly addition to the Woolful podcast, In Residence. Each quarter we’ll be joined by a farmer, designer, entrepreneur and artist in residence…discussing topics and questions asked by you the listeners. In Residence features the best of the best in business, farming, knitwear design and fiber arts and this is your opportunity to ask and learn from these incredible folks.

So now it’s up to you, these wonderful women are ready to answer your questions and discuss your areas of interest. Do you have a question or topic regarding farming, knitwear design, fiber business or photography that you’ve always wanted to know more about? Email them to hello@woolful.com and later this month tune in to hear their answers.

Event: Mark your calendars for a special event happening at Elaine and Mike’s farm, Old Homestead Alpacas. On June 18th they’ll be hosting their second annual open barn event, a day full of fun, fiber and some great history. So if you’re in the Walla Walla area, it’s worth the visit to meet and get to know both Elaine and her fiber family. I encourage you to visit Old Homestead Alpacas on Facebook and on Instagram @oldhomesteadalpacas

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks giveaway is Susan M, you’ve won a skein of Old Homestead Alpacas Suri Alpaca yarn. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaways are sponsored by Portfiber and they’re giving away a 4oz. batt of the Summer Maine Fiber Club, Jacob from Catawampus Farm, and a $30 gift card to PortFiber’s online Etsy shop. To enter, leave a comment on this blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-60-casey-ryder-endearment-ultimate-frisbee-mindfulness-and-portfiber/feed/63Episode 60: Casey Ryder - Endearment, Ultimate Frisbee, Mindfulness and PortFiber
Sponsor: Taproot Magazine, is a quarterly print magazine full of delightful stories and photos written by and for people living fuller and digging deeper. Each issue is created around a subtle theme, featuring amazing recipes, crafts, and tales, all with the intention of inspiring people who are interested in deepening their connections to their families, communities, and themselves as they strive to live locally and closer to the ground. The content in each issue consistently blows me away. It is fulfilling and inspiring. The most recent issue PRESERVE features a collection of wonderful finds as we step in Summer. With lessons in arm knitting, preserved lemon and infusion recipes, stories in farming and woolworking, and a collection of preserving how-tos. There is so much goodness in each issue. You can visit Taproot Magazine online at Taprootmag.com and on Instagram @taprootmag.

Fiber folk: It’s no secret that Maine is one of the epicenters of this fiber world, with its designers and yarn companies, but a lesser known but just as vital part of this community are the shops, more specifically PortFiber, a special fiber, spinning, dyeing and weaving oasis in Portland, Maine. Casey Ryder, the owner of PortFiber found herself on a path that’s lead her to finding further fulfillment in making and building part of this fiber community. You can find Casey at portfiber.com and on Instagram @portfiber.

Sponsor: I want to thank Taproot Magazine again for sponsoring this week’s episode. With the natural, easygoing and heartfelt focus of each issue, I find myself continuing to go back to it throughout the quarter, gaining a little something each time and looking forward to the upcoming issue. Just recently I pulled out the archive issue BREAD, with plans to build a cob oven in our backyard. I’m looking forward to getting started. I highly recommend you visit Taprootmag.com and subscribe.

In Residence: I’m excited to share a new weekly addition to the Woolful podcast, In Residence. Each quarter we’ll be joined by a farmer, designer, entrepreneur and artist in residence…discussing topics and questions asked by you the listeners. In Residence features the best of the best in business, farming, knitwear design and fiber arts and this is your opportunity to ask and learn from these incredible folks.
This Summer quarter we welcome Entrepreneur in residence Veronika Jobe of YOTH, Farmer in residence Tamara White of Wing and a Prayer Farm, Photographer in residence Kathy Cadigan and Designer in residence Mary Jane Mucklestone.
So now it’s up to you, these wonderful women are ready to answer your questions and discuss your areas of interest. Do you have a question or topic regarding farming, knitwear design, fiber business or photography that you’ve always wanted to know more about? Email them to hello@woolful.com and later this month tune in to hear their answers.

Sponsor: Yarn Along the Rockies is a yarn crawl on the front range of Colorado that features 18 shops from Colorado Springs to Boulder. YATR spans 9 days from August 20th – 28th. Yarn Crawl participants can take a Passport Tour of participating yarn shops for a chance to win one of five grand prizes as well as enter to win prize baskets at each store and participating shops will each have a free pattern available for crawlers as well as a free shop pin. If you visit 4 stores or more during the 9 day yarn crawl to get a free commemorative stitch marker. If you’re a Colorado resident or visiting in August, you don’t want to miss this fiber community event. Visit yarnalongtherockies.com for a printable list of participating shops and more info on this exciting event. And find them on Instagram @yarnalongtherockies.

Fiber folk: When I first met Elaine and heard a bit of her story, I knew it went much deeper, and I wanted to hear her full story…about life and fiber. This conversation left me in tears, touched by the intense journey Elaine and her husband Mike have been on and how it’s led them to a very special farm in Walla Walla, Washington. You can find Elaine on Facebook at Old Homestead Alpacas and on Instagram @oldhomesteadalpacas.

Sponsor: Old Homestead Alpacas is a beautiful homestead built in the 1870’s, located in Walla Walla Washington and now owned and operated by Elaine Vandiver and her husband. They’re creating a wonderful and welcoming place, with visions to live off the land and share their goods with their local community and beyond, including their gorgeous alpaca fiber and yarn. Mark your calendars for a special event happening at Elaine and Mike’s farm, Old Homestead Alpacas. On June 18th they’ll be hosting their second annual open barn event, a day full of fun, fiber and some great history. So if you’re in the Walla Walla area, it’s worth the visit to meet and get to know both Elaine and her fiber family. I encourage you to visit Old Homestead Alpacas on Facebook, on Instagram @oldhomesteadalpacas and their lovely shop full of alpaca goodness at etsy.com/shop/oldhomesteadalpacas

In Residence:I’m excited to share a new weekly addition to the Woolful podcast, In Residence. Each quarter we’ll be joined by a farmer, designer, entrepreneur and artist in residence…discussing topics and questions asked by you the listeners. In Residence features the best of the best in business, farming, knitwear design and fiber arts and this is your opportunity to ask and learn from these incredible folks.

So now it’s up to you, these wonderful women are ready to answer your questions and discuss your areas of interest. Do you have a question or topic regarding farming, knitwear design, fiber business or photography that you’ve always wanted to know more about? Email them to hello@woolful.com and later this month tune in to hear their answers.

Giveaway:The winner of last weeks giveaway is Julia DeBoer, you’ve won the Nancy vest project kit from Sunday Knits. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Old Homestead Alpacas and they’re giving away a skein of their small farm Suri Alpaca yarn, homegrown in Walla Walla Washington. To enter, leave a comment on this blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-59-elaine-vandiver-army-motherly-calling-hula-hooping-old-homestead-alpacas/feed/60Episode 59: Elaine Vandiver - Army, Motherly calling, Hula Hooping and Old Homestead AlpacasWhen I first met Elaine and heard a bit of her story, I knew it went much deeper, and I wanted to hear her full story…about life and fiber. This conversation left me in tears, touched by the intense journey Elaine and her husband Mike have been on and how it’s led them to a very special farm in Walla Walla, Washington. You can find Elaine on Facebook at Old Homestead Alpacas and on Instagram @oldhomesteadalpacas.Making 56:04
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4502Lessons in farming: Lost and Foundhttp://woolful.com/lessons-farming-lost-found/
http://woolful.com/lessons-farming-lost-found/#commentsWed, 25 May 2016 16:52:26 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4491I have an amazing story for you. One that I thought when I began writing it was going to end sadly, but now has a VERY happy ending.

On Monday’s very rainy afternoon, we had a special delivery, our new Moorit Icelandic ram lamb. I bought him from a special farm, a couple who are really fantastic Icelandic breeders. I met them last year, when we bought our ram Henry from their farm. They are so great to drive a few hours to deliver, being that with still working remotely full-time, it’s a challenge to make full day trips off the farm. Plus they used to live near here so they enjoy visiting the area.

We set little Cornelius up in the stable with hay and water for the day and later that evening when doing chores we opted to close the gate on half the stable and keep the main door open so he could become familiar with the other sheep and get some fresh air. The wall that separated his area from the rest is a solid wood wall about 4ft high.

So the night went off without a hitch, and in the morning David did chores and mentioned to me that the little lamb really wanted out and kept jumping, but not to worry, he was jumping nowhere near the height of the wall. An hour after David left for work, about 8am, a neighbor pulls into our driveway and asks my mother if we were missing a little brown lamb, which they had seen running down the road. I was wrapping up Coltrane and I’s morning in the yurt and heard a commotion and once I heard what was going on, I took off down the driveway. By the time I reached the road, the lamb had disappeared into the miles of national forest across from our farm. I tracked his tiny hoof prints a 1/2 mile down the road and into the woods. I stayed out there for nearly two hours, walking a mile up and down the road, calling, whistling, baa-ing for him (yes, I was baa-ing). Earlier in the morning I had read a special passage, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46 verse 1 and as we looked for that lamb those couple hours, and later in the afternoon and again in the evening, I remembered that verse and although I was heartbroken at what felt like a definite loss, I just prayed and trusted, and knew that there was at the very least, an important lesson to learn in all of this.

The day went on, with design work and stressful work meetings, some more visits outside to call for the lamb, a migraine, a sick kid and a visit to the acupuncturist. As I drove to my appt late that afternoon with a heavy heart, I found myself dwelling on the negatives of the day, I lamented why the day had to be so crappy. I recalled how I had told a co-worker earlier that day that in spite of struggles, we must find the positives and dwell on such things. So I did my best to change my attitude and it’s not that hard to find the overwhelming positives in your life when you try. Places like Instagram paint a very glossy picture of life, but life behind the photos is much more raw.

We made signs that evening and nailed them to the poles down by the road. As I laid in bed I imagined the types of phone calls we might receive from our rural neighbors…”man that lamb was tasty” and “those coyotes had a feast”. I prayed that maybe somehow, against all odds and wild animals that live in our woods (wolves, bears, coyotes, cougars), that Cornelius would find a safe place to hide.

During the night I was awakened by the coyote pack that lives near us, an almost nightly occurrence, howling and sounding eery like they do. I was settled that our little brown lamb was their 5 star dinner and went back to sleep. Around 5:30am this morning, David was out doing morning chores and I hear “Where did you come from?! Come here little buddy!”. I leapt out of bed and ran outside with tears in my eyes, giving thanks and yelling “He’s found!”. David had the biggest smile and look of bewilderment on his face. I just stood in awe, completely amazed that he had not only made it through the night, but somehow found his way back to our farm after having been here only one night and familiar with only the stable he had been staying in. David came back to the yurt for breakfast and we just reveled in the events of the previous 24hrs. If you knew our woods and have experienced runaway, you would understand.

So I’m happy to introduce our newest little lamb, Cornelius.

Lessons learned and reinforced:

-Consider risks to lambs. Again, seems obvious, but not obvious enough. Did you know a 2 month old lamb could jump a 4ft wall? Neither did we.

-Build relationships with your neighbors. Neighbors, whether right next door or a mile down the road like ours, can be your biggest encouragers or discouragers. This is something we’re actively working on, it takes effort to overcome their ignorance of the normalcies of farming and consider them as part of your team.

-Fencing. I know there’s a quote out there somewhere about fencing and farming. Good fences, multiple fences will be your biggest ally. Animals will still get out and through and over fences, but it does slow them down. We have 4 strand barbed wire fences around our property and have finished our first pasture with field fence, but someday we will have field fence around our entire perimeter, something that will greatly diminish the chasing and hunting adventures we find ourselves so frequently on. We are just beginning to electrify our fences, that helps too.

-Attitude. Attitude is everything and farming is hard. When you have a day where things just keep going awry, in spite of it all, dwell on the positive and know that tomorrow is a new day.

-Have grace with yourself and others. You will make mistakes, sometimes deadly or costly ones. It’s not a matter of if, but when. So learn from those mistakes, make changes and forgive yourself.

-Be thankful. It’s easy enough to let the tough things of farming get to you, but keep your chin up and recognize the beauty and incredible gifts you’re surrounded by. And give thanks for the lessons, the hard ones and the happy ending ones.

Sponsor: Sunday Knits has quickly become one of my new favorite yarns to knit with. Started in 2008 by Carol Sunday, Sunday Knits is a collection of 4 merino and merino blend yarns and beautiful patterns designed by Carol. 100% extra-fine Australian merino to the French Angora, all their fibers are humanely sourced and then milled in Italy to Carol’s meticulous and caring specifications. Aside from this yarns obvious qualities, they’re a dream to knit with…so soft yet sturdy and the breadth of colors are beautiful and perfect for color work…I have yet to move beyond swatching, as there are so many great uses for this wholesome yarn. And if you enjoy knitting vests, make sure to take a look at Carol’s latest pattern, the Nancy Vest, a little warmth and a lot of style makes this classic best a wardrobe staple, and an enjoyable knit, in any of Sunday Knits’ 3-ply yarns. Visit Sunday Knits at sundayknits.com or if you can make a trip to Roscoe, Illinois near the Wisconsin state line, make an appointment to visit the gorgeous Sunday Knits studio. You can follow on Instagram @carolsundayknits

Fiber folk: Just a few miles from Portland Maine and a short ferry ride away is Peaks Island. Here is where natural dyer, fiber artist and mother Rachel Bingham Kessler makes her home and business and explores the intricacies of natures relationship in dyeing and spinning. Rachel shares her journey with such love and thoughtfulness, and I hope you enjoy learning more about this Maine fiber maven as much as I have. You can find Rachel at 44clovers.blogspots.com and at her Etsy shop, 44 Clovers. And follow Rachel on Instagram @44clovers.

Sponsor: Portfiber, a wonderful shop in Portland, Maine, specializing in one of a kind, hand-dyed fiber and yarn. Casey has curated an incredible collection of spinning fiber including yak, Chiri, Alpaca, Polwarth and hand-dyed blends. Portfiber offers something very special to the Portland community, helping foster the fiber arts through various classes and events and encouraging the connection between maker and medium. Make sure to visit Portfiber’s shop where you can be a part of their Maine Fiber Club each month, where you study a particular Maine sheep breed with Portfiber each month. This is the perfect way to become familiar with a variety of wools without having to commit to a large fleece. You can find the monthly wools as washed locks or batts, great for any spinner. Visit Portfiber in person when in Portland Maine and shop online and find a list of classes at portfiber.com. Follow along on Instagram @portfiber.

In Residence:I’m excited to share a new weekly addition to the Woolful podcast, In Residence. Each quarter we’ll be joined by a farmer, designer, entrepreneur and artist in residence…discussing topics and questions asked by you the listeners. In Residence features the best of the best in business, farming, knitwear design and fiber arts and this is your opportunity to ask and learn from these incredible folks.

So now it’s up to you, these wonderful women are ready to answer your questions and discuss your areas of interest. Do you have a question or topic regarding farming, knitwear design, fiber business or photography that you’ve always wanted to know more about? Email them to hello@woolful.com and beginning in June, tune in to hear their answers.

Giveaway:The winner of last weeks giveaway is Sophie Bertolotti, you’ve won the Vintergronn knit kit from Spincycle and the knitter tools set from Fuzzy Goat. Congratulations!

The giveaway this week is sponsored by Sunday Knits and they’re giving away a project kit for their newest released pattern the Nancy Vest, which includes the pattern and yarn to knit the vest. To enter, leave a comment on this blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-58-rachel-bingham-kessler-plants-ireland-natural-dyeing-motherhood/feed/101Episode 58: Rachel Bingham Kessler: Plants, Ireland, Natural Dyeing and MotherhoodJust a few miles from Portland Maine and a short ferry ride away is Peaks Island. Here is where natural dyer, fiber artist and mother Rachel Bingham Kessler makes her home and business and explores the intricacies of natures relationship in dyeing and spinning. Rachel shares her journey with such love and thoughtfulness, and I hope you enjoy learning more about this Maine fiber maven as much as I have. You can find Rachel at 44clovers.blogspots.com and at her Etsy shop, 44 Clovers. And follow Rachel on Instagram @44clovers.Making 58:29
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4470Episode 57: Rachel Price & Kate Burge: Oil industry, tree-sitting, wannabe Amish, farmers market and Spincycle Yarnshttp://woolful.com/episode-57-rachel-price-kate-burge-oil-industry-tree-sitting-wannabe-amish-farmers-market-and-spincycle-yarns/
http://woolful.com/episode-57-rachel-price-kate-burge-oil-industry-tree-sitting-wannabe-amish-farmers-market-and-spincycle-yarns/#commentsThu, 12 May 2016 00:30:36 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4445

Sponsor: Fuzzy Goat is a charming yarn shop in Historic Downtown Thomasville, Georgia created by Cadence Kidwell in 2014. Their whimsical lodge, luxurious yarns from independent, Southern and US sources, including Spincycle Yarns and focus on attainable challenges makes them a fun and memorable place to drop in. Whether you’re new to handcrafts or an experienced knitter, crocheter or weaver, you’ll find an appealing space to build your fiber community and exquisite materials and classes at Fuzzy Goat. Make yourself comfortable and feel welcome to discover your next project, letting the yarns speak for themselves and the Fuzzy Goat team will find the right moment to help you turn an idea into a project ready to cast on. Make Fuzzy Goat a destination when near Thomasville, Georgia and find a list of classes and other info at fuzzygoatyarns.com. And follow along on Instagram @fuzzy_goat.

Fiber folk: I had a great time visiting spinsters Rachel Price & Kate Burge in their cozy studio in downtown Bellingham earlier this year. Coincidentally, the very building that their studio resides in is where I met my husband 11 years ago. It was great to be in these old haunts with new friends and to hear their personal journeys and story, from meeting and working together at the Bellingham food coop to starting a hand dyed and handspun yarn company, Spincycle Yarns. These two special ladies have created something quite amazing, and I hope you enjoy getting to know them as much as I have. You can find the spinsters at spincycleyarns.com and on Instagram @spincycle_yarns.

Sponsor: Plum Deluxe hand blended organic tea is like a good friend – one that you always look forward to hearing from. Plum Deluxe was founded in the Pacific Northwest by Andy Hayes, with the intention of creating a community online that you always look forward to visiting, whether that’s exploring their blog, joining their tea of the month club or creating a rich experience with their organic tea blends. It’s all about making moments that matter, whether with a warm cup of their Hammock blend black tea or an iced glass of their Vista blend herbal tea. Just as you can never have enough yarn in your stash, the same goes with tea…at least that’s what my cupboard says. Visit plumdeluxe.com to explore all their amazing tea and add a few to your stash, and make sure to stop by their blog for lots of helpful info and tasty recipes that pair perfectly with tea. And find them on Instagram @plumdeluxe

Update: Later this week I’ll be making some exciting announcements about some upcoming additions to the Woolful Podcast. If you’re on Instagram, make sure to follow along @woolful or visit the blog at the end of the week for this fun update.

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks giveaway is Erin Elizabeth, you’ve won The Mayhaps Shawl Kit from Romi Hill and Elemental Affects. Congratulations!

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-57-rachel-price-kate-burge-oil-industry-tree-sitting-wannabe-amish-farmers-market-and-spincycle-yarns/feed/97Episode 57: Rachel Price & Kate Burge: Oil industry, tree-sitting, wannabe Amish, farmers market and Spincycle YarnsI had a great time visiting spinsters Rachel Price & Kate Burge in their cozy studio in downtown Bellingham earlier this year. Coincidentally, the very building that their studio resides in is where I met my husband 11 years ago. It was great to be in these old haunts with new friends and to hear their personal journeys and story, from meeting and working together at the Bellingham food coop to starting a hand dyed and handspun yarn company, Spincycle Yarns. These two special ladies have created something quite amazing, and I hope you enjoy getting to know them as much as I have. You can find the spinsters at spincycleyarns.com and on Instagram @spincycle_yarns.<br />Making 40:25
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4445Episode 56: Romi Hill – Black sheep, Metalsmithing, Cowboy boots and Lace Knittinghttp://woolful.com/episode-56-romi-hill-black-sheep-metalsmithing-cowboy-boots-and-lace-knitting/
http://woolful.com/episode-56-romi-hill-black-sheep-metalsmithing-cowboy-boots-and-lace-knitting/#commentsFri, 29 Apr 2016 18:23:40 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4420

Sponsor: Every year there is a special place, on a lake in New Hampshire, where people gather to explore their creativity, healing and community. This place is called Squam. Behind this goodness is one remarkable woman by the name of Elizabeth Duvivier, someone who’s sought out to find her path and enlightenment in this creative world, bringing souls together and taking just as much away from each experience as those who attend. The Spring Squam retreat is taking place this June, complete with twinkle lights, generous teachers, sweet walks through the woods, vintage cottages, laughter on the dock, some very incredible workshops and ending with the Squam Art Fair and Ravelry Reverly. Join classes with incredible fiber folks like Gudrun Johnston, Kate Atherley, Andrea Rangel, Kristine Vejar, and Mary Jane Mucklestone to name just a few. And there is still time to register and make your travel plans to attend this June retreat, so visit squamartworkshops.com for more info on this incredible retreat and to register.

Fiber folk: Romi Hill first caught my attention on Instagram a few years ago when I came across of photo of her cowboy boots paired with some beautiful yarn. As time went on became more and more fascinated with this seemingly extensive cowboy boots collection and even more so with her incredible knack for composition and color theory and of course, knitwear designs. Lace knitting has always appeared intimidating to me, but seeing Romi’s designs come to life has been an increasing temptation and getting to know her more, and her sweet spirit has only been even more encouraging. I hope you enjoy getting to know this amazing woman and the story behind all she does, as much as I have. You can find Romi at designsbyromi.com, her latest book “New Lace Knitting” and patterns on Ravelry and on Instagram @romidesigns.

Sponsor: A Verb for Keeping Warm is a utopia of fiber and fabric, with the most incredible collection of yarn and goods, including their own exquisite naturally dyed yarns. Kristine, the owner and her team, have created a one of a kind holistic learning and making environment. I took my first spinning class from Verb when I was living in San Francisco and I was always amazed at the wonderful and informative events Kristine hosted and was a part of, including Fibershed, an organization key in my knowledge around wool. Most recently Kristine released her first book “The Modern Natural Dyer”, a comprehensive guide to dyeing silk, wool, linen and cotton at home, a gorgeous visual journey through natural dyeing accompanied by a collection of diy projects. In addition to her book, she’s released natural dye project kits for the projects found in the book and you can also find individual natural dyeing supplies at averbforkeepingwarm.com. If you’re in the bay area or just passing through, make sure to make A Verb for Keeping Warm a destination. You can find their online shop and class list at averbforkeepingwarm.com and follow them on Instagram @avfkw

Fiber friends: This past week one of our Man on the Street members and fiber friend Kerry Robb released her Natural Home Collection, a collection of patterns using all natural, organic and otherwise ethical yarns to make beautiful and functional items for your home. You’ll find patterns for felted Lopi bowl using Hinterland’s Churro Lopi, Hemp Scrubbies using Darn Good Yarn’s Hemp and Nettle yarn, and a Linen placemat using Quince and Co’s Kestrel yarn. These are just gorgeous Kerry, you should be so proud. And if you’d like to make her felted bowls pattern, you can find Hinterland’s Churro Lopi in my shop, woolfulmercantile.com

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks giveaway is Mary Moury, you’ve won the West Water Tunic pattern from Squam, designed by Samantha Lamb and a $30 gift card towards fabric at Fancy Tiger Crafts. Congratulations!

The giveaway this week is sponsored by Romi Hill and Elemental Affects and they’re giving away a Mayhaps Shawl kit, which includes Romi’s beautiful Shetland Hap inspired shawl along with the Elemental Affects Shetland Rustic lace yarn to complete the pattern. To enter, leave a comment on this blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-56-romi-hill-black-sheep-metalsmithing-cowboy-boots-and-lace-knitting/feed/107Episode 56: Romi Hill - Black sheep, Metalsmithing, Cowboy boots and Lace KnittingRomi Hill first caught my attention on Instagram a few years ago when I came across of photo of her cowboy boots paired with some beautiful yarn. As time went on became more and more fascinated with this seemingly extensive cowboy boots collection and even more so with her incredible knack for composition and color theory and of course, knitwear designs. Lace knitting has always appeared intimidating to me, but seeing Romi’s designs come to life has been an increasing temptation and getting to know her more, and her sweet spirit has only been even more encouraging. I hope you enjoy getting to know this amazing woman and the story behind all she does, as much as I have. You can find Romi at designsbyromi.com, her latest book “New Lace Knitting” and patterns on Ravelry and on Instagram @romidesigns.Making 38:32
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4420Lessons in farming: A drowned lambhttp://woolful.com/lessons-farming-drowned-lamb/
http://woolful.com/lessons-farming-drowned-lamb/#commentsFri, 22 Apr 2016 21:10:04 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4403All lessons in farming are not painful, but it does seem the most painful ones are the ones I feel most compelled to share…hoping that somehow it might inform and prevent such a painful lesson for one of you.

As if it wasn’t already apparent, we’re new to this whole farming thing. We just completed our first lambing season, with 7 total lambs born to our 4 ewes. I’ve been keeping a farm journal and I thought I’d share a few excerpts from the lambing adventures. If you have a farm, I highly recommend taking the time to journal events, even weather. It’s already proved to be a great way to recall.

3.24.16 – I’m in SF for work, but mom was home and Lucy gave birth to twins, two rams. They did really well, no problems.

3.26.16 – David, Coltrane and I were on our way back from the airport and mom woke up to Alice with twins, 1 ram and 1 ewe. The ram was smaller and weak. Mom was able to milk Alice enough to bottle feed him. He barely ate. David and I got Vit E & Selenium gel and gave that to him. All day he was dazed, we continued to feed him a bottle. He tried to nurse a couple times. Alice’s one side of her udder was engorged so we milked her. Brought him in at night to the yurt. Fed him a couple times, but he slept the whole night. When he woke up crying in the morning, we put him with Alice and now he nurses fine.

4.12.16 – This morning we woke early around 5:30 and soaked in our time. David took sunrise photos and I sat by the fire. Later David went to let out the sheep and called to Coltrane and I, so excited “Lambs!”. By the time we got to the stable David told me one lamb had somehow drowned in the water bucket. We felt foolish and so sad. Why hadn’t we come out sooner? It appeared we’d missed the lamb by only a few moments. We are heartbroken. We later read that 5-gallon buckets are dangerous for lambs. How had we not known? The little ewe that made it is all black and we named her Grace, because all farmers need a little grace now and then. We replaced the water bowls with new shallower ones. Grace was having some trouble eating from Ethel’s large udder and teats. We bottle fed her all day and night. I gave her Nursemate soon after birth. Ethel doesn’t do well being milked.

4.13.16 – Grace is doing better and nursing. Louise is next up to lamb.

4.16.16 – Louise gave birth to one lamb this morning, a little black ewe. What a surprise after having all twins, we thought she might even have triplets. Hah! This little lamb isn’t nursing, but is lively. I made a makeshift stanchion and milked Louise and fed it to the lamb. So frustrating. She kinda tries to nurse, but Louise’s udder is HUGE.

4.18.16 – Ethel and Grace are outside now and her udder looks better. Louise’s little lamb is nursing just fine now.

After discovering our drowned lamb, we couldn’t have felt more ignorant or stupid. Why hadn’t we thought about the bucket as a possible risk? How did the lamb even get in there? We’ve seen lots of farmers use buckets and large water troughs without problem, but we’d never even considered it a drowning risk. Although we were careful to keep these buckets only halfway full, this newly birthed lamb wasn’t strong enough to jump out of it. That combined with the cool temperature of the water, it was a no-win situation.

Each day we’ve become a little less wince-full when we see Ethel with her one lamb. And as so many farmers before me have said, “The first lesson in farming is life and death.” So this was our first real lesson in both the sweetness of life, and the bitterness of death…bittersweet farming.

Lessons learned and reinforced:

-Consider risks to lambs. Seems obvious, but not obvious enough. Newborn lambs are often small and sometimes weak. Look at your lambing jugs, is there enough room? Are there containers, gaps, wire, or anything else ‘potentially’ risky that they could get into or hurt by?

-Keep watch of your keep. You can’t be present for everything that happens, but keep a keen eye on your animals. Are you up early? Go check on your pregnant ewes. Are you on the internet or Instagram? Go check on your animals.

–Build your tribe. As I’ve said before, I strongly believe in the adage that “you are the company you keep” and I think that transcends to knowledge you can obtain from that company as well. Woolful has allowed me to meet some incredible people who are now close friends and so knowledgeable in farming and ranching and there when I need them, without hesitation. This is one of the greatest blessings in life.

-Be proactive. Does something seem not quite right with one of your animals? Listen to your gut. Reach out to your knowledgeable friends (Thank you Tammy!) or vet and ask questions, tell them what’s going on, and at the very least receive comfort from them.

-Have plenty of supplies on hand. Thankfully we had Nurse Mate and other vital supplies on hand, but something we didn’t have was the Vit E and Selenium gel. Now maybe this isn’t necessary in all cases, but it helped us and was only a few dollars. Worth having in your arsenal amongst other things…like bottles and nipples.

-Have grace with yourself and others. You will make mistakes, sometimes deadly or costly ones. It’s not a matter of if, but when. So learn from those mistakes, make changes and forgive yourself.

-Be thankful. It’s easy enough to let the tough things of farming get to you, but keep your chin up and recognize the beauty and incredible gifts you’re surrounded by. And give thanks for the lessons, even the hard ones.

Sponsor: Amirisu is a beautiful bilingual knitting print and digital magazine founded by Meri and Tokuko and created in Japan. Amirisu plays an vital role in this international fiber community of ours, is a key player in this editorial and inspirational world and one of my favorites. Each issue features patterns in both Japanese and English accompanied by beautifully written articles and photography. And launching today is Amirisu’s Spring/Summer issue, with Spring Vintage inspired designs from Amy Christoffers, Britol Ivy, Leila Raabe, Joji Locatelli, Helen Stewart, Melissa LaBarre, Nadia Cretin-Lechenne and Kirsten Johnstone and the craft city guide of Nashville Tennessee. You can find this and past issues at amirisu.com and a selection of local yarn shops. And make sure to follow Amirisu on Instagram @amirisushop to keep up with all the going ons.

Fiber folk: Every year there is a special place, on a lake in New Hampshire, where people gather to explore their creativity, healing and community. This place is called Squam. Behind this goodness is one remarkable woman by the name of Elizabeth Duvivier, someone who’s sought out to find her path and enlightenment in this creative world, bringing souls together and taking just as much away from each experience as those who attend. The next Squam art workshop is this June, and if there’s any way you can find to make it, I know you’ll come away from it just as inspired as you will from this conversation. You can find Elizabeth at squamartworkshops.com and on Instagram @squamlove.

Sponsor: Fancy Tiger Crafts is a special yarn, fabric and notions shop based out of Denver Colorado. This inspired place is owned and operated by self proclaimed fiber nerds, Jaime Jennings and Amber Corcoran…two women who’s hope and journey have allowed them to share their knowledge, adventures and passion in fiber, and this is reflected in their beautiful shop as well as their endeavors in creating their own farm yarn Heirloom. Fancy Tiger Crafts is one of my favorite places to shop online for fabric, patterns and yarn, and on June 18th they’re celebrating their 10th anniversary with a very special event with workshops taught by Stephen West, Sonya Philip and Jeane deCoster. The first 100 customers through the door at 10am will receive free goody bags and you’ll find some other exciting things the Fancy gals have put together for this special event, including the release of a limited edition Fancy Tiger Crafts Colorado grown and milled yarn. So make sure to mark your calendars for June 18th, and visit fancytigercrafts.com for more info and to register for the workshop, and follow along for updates on Instagram @fancytigercrafts.

Special Event: If you’re in the bay area, there’s a wonderful event “Pastoralism Prevailing” taking place on Sunday April 17th from 2-5pm. In support of Bay Area Shepherdess, super-hero farmer Joel Salatin is coming to the charming little beach town of Bolinas. Learn how to support New Pastoralism and discuss this agrarian mission promoting carbon sequestration, health of soil & water, good food, fiber & the pursuit of happiness, as we dine and imbibe during this inspiring afternoon in support of Bay Area Shepherdess, Brittany Cole Bush & other regional land businesses.

Food faire and fine drink will be provided, as well as a live auction at the stunning venue with inspiring folk. You can learn more and purchase tickets at pastorlismprevailing.com

Giveaway: The winners of last weeks giveaways are, Susan Seward you’ve won Issue 3 from Knit Wit and Jill Kato you’ve won a kit of your choice from We Are Knitters Spring Collection. Congratulations!

The giveaway this week is sponsored by Squam and Fancy Tiger Crafts and they’re giving away the West Water Tunic pattern and a $30 gift card towards fabric at Fancy Tiger Crafts, perfect to get the fabric for your tunic.To enter, leave a comment on this blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-55-elizabeth-duvivier-art-fest-xanadu-providence-and-squam/feed/83Episode 55: Elizabeth Duvivier - Art Fest, Xanadu, Providence and SquamEvery year there is a special place, on a lake in New Hampshire, where people gather to explore their creativity, healing and community. This place is called Squam. Behind this goodness is one remarkable woman by the name of Elizabeth Duvivier, someone who’s sought out to find her path and enlightenment in this creative world, bringing souls together and taking just as much away from each experience as those who attend. The next Squam art workshop is this June, and if there’s any way you can find to make it, I know you’ll come away from it just as inspired as you will from this conversation. You can find Elizabeth at squamartworkshops.com and on Instagram @squamlove.Making 50:27
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4358Episode 54: Zinzi Edmundson & Gigi Jack – Editorial history, Unbreakable bonds, LA and Knit Withttp://woolful.com/episode-54-zinzi-edmundson-gigi-jack-editorial-history-unbreakable-bonds-la-and-knit-wit/
http://woolful.com/episode-54-zinzi-edmundson-gigi-jack-editorial-history-unbreakable-bonds-la-and-knit-wit/#commentsFri, 08 Apr 2016 01:54:31 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4326

Sponsor: We Are Knitters is a young, modern, and fashion-forward brand with a focus on DIY and the handmade community. They believe in spreading the joy of knitting through unique, original kits that provide the recipient with everything they need to knit their own individual item – from start to finish. Kits contain yarn, needles (or a hook for crocheters!), a pattern, a little sewing needle and tag, and a recyclable bag to keep all your knitting supplies in! They source only the highest quality of fibers from Peru and work with their partners to ensure an ethical supply chain from start to finish – resulting in a product that you can truly feel good about (and also in!).

Join their knitting revolution on Instagram at @weareknitters and make sure to become part of the community with the hashtag #weareknitters when you post pictures of your work and for a chance to be automatically entered into a number of monthly giveaways. And make sure to checkout We Are Knitters most recent cotton collection for this Spring…featuring some beautiful lightweight garments for the upcoming warmer weather. My favorites are the Saxon Top and the Abruzzo Sweater. You can find this and all their other supplies and kits at weareknitters.com

Fiber folk: In a digital world, it seems print is ephemeral…but ask Zinzi Edmundson and Gigi Jack of Knit Wit Magazine and that’s what made the most sense…with their history in the print editorial world and desire for the tactile experience. Together they’ve created one of the most compelling textile and lifestyle publications, garnering some of the most interesting folks in the industry and helping share their stories and creativity. If you haven’t already experienced Knit Wit, I highly suggest you do. You can find Zinzi and Gigi at knitwitmag.com and on instagram @knitwitknitwit.

Sponsor: Brooklyn General Store was created in 2002 and is owned and operated by Catherine Clark. Tucked away on a sweet block West of the Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill neighborhoods, Brooklyn General Store is the enchanting fiber and textile emporium we all dream of. Dreams full of wooly goodness, yards and yards of fabric, felt, dyes, patterns, tools, and handmade gifts. A little old and a little new…a classic general store for the maker who loves to make their own everything. With a charming studio, the shop hosts a variety of wonderful classes taught by special folks including Cal Patch, Nguyen Le, Heather Love and many more. With it’s floor to ceiling shelves, old rolling ladders, and old wood floors, it feels as though you’ve stepped into a wooly wonderland…I so wish I lived closer and could adopt this shop as my own lys, but thankfully they have an online shop filled to the brim with all of their fiber and sewing goods and gifts…including Knit Wit magazine. So if you’re in the Brooklyn area or just passing through, visit Brooklyn General Store in person and find them online at brooklyngeneral.com and on Instagram @brooklyngeneralstore

Special Event: If you’re in the bay area, there’s a wonderful event “Pastoralism Prevailing” taking place on Sunday April 17th from 2-5pm. In support of Bay Area Shepherdess, super-hero farmer Joel Salatin is coming to the charming little beach town of Bolinas. Learn how to support New Pastoralism and discuss this agrarian mission promoting carbon sequestration, health of soil & water, good food, fiber & the pursuit of happiness, as we dine and imbibe during this inspiring afternoon in support of Bay Area Shepherdess, Brittany Cole Bush & other regional land businesses.

Food faire and fine drink will be provided, as well as a live auction at the stunning venue with inspiring folk. You can learn more and purchase tickets at pastorlismprevailing.com

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks giveaway is Annette, you’ve won a copy of Tolt Yarn and Wool’s book Farm to Needle. Congratulations!

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-54-zinzi-edmundson-gigi-jack-editorial-history-unbreakable-bonds-la-and-knit-wit/feed/78Episode 54: Zinzi Edmundson & Gigi Jack - Editorial history, Unbreakable bonds, LA and Knit WitIn a digital world, it seems print is ephemeral…but ask Zinzi Edmundson and Gigi Jack of Knit Wit Magazine and that’s what made the most sense…with their history in the print editorial world and desire for the tactile experience. Together they’ve created one of the most compelling textile and lifestyle publications, garnering some of the most interesting folks in the industry and helping share their stories and creativity. If you haven’t already experienced Knit Wit, I highly suggest you do. You can find Zinzi and Gigi at knitwitmag.com and on instagram @knitwitknitwit.Making 35:06
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4326Episode 53: Anna & Greg Dianich – Pinterest, Saying yes, Role reversals and Tolt Yarn and Woolhttp://woolful.com/episode-53-anna-greg-dianich-pinterest-saying-yes-role-reversals-and-tolt-yarn-and-wool/
http://woolful.com/episode-53-anna-greg-dianich-pinterest-saying-yes-role-reversals-and-tolt-yarn-and-wool/#commentsFri, 01 Apr 2016 00:33:34 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4328

Sponsor: Taproot Magazine, is a quarterly print magazine full of delightful stories and photos written by and for people living fuller and digging deeper. Each issue is created around a subtle theme, featuring amazing recipes, crafts, and tales, all with the intention of inspiring people who are interested in deepening their connections to their families, communities, and themselves as they strive to live locally and closer to the ground. The content in each issue consistently blows me away. It is fulfilling and inspiring. The most recent issue MYTH features a collection of wonderful finds as we step in Spring. With fermentation and jam recipes, stories, food myths, how to make a pan flute and Bristol Ivy’s latest pattern the “Selkie Hat & Mitts”. There is so much goodness in each issue. You can visit Taproot Magazine online at taprootmag.com and on Instagram @taprootmag.

Fiber folk: I’ve met very few people in life that match the passion, enthusiasm and joy of Anna Dianich and her infectious energy emanates from everything that surrounds her, including her shop, Tolt Yarn and Wool. It’s easy to forget though, that amazing women like Anna, have someone equally amazing beside them, cheering them on and supporting them through their endless ideas and gumption. Anna’s someone is her lovable and encouraging husband Greg. Together they’ve built a community, centered around this charming little yarn shop in the Pacific Northwest town of Carnation, Washington. You can find Anna and Greg and their super crew at toltyarnandwool.com and on Instagram @toltyarnandwool.

Sponsor: I want to thank Taproot Magazine again for sponsoring this week’s episode. With the natural, easygoing and heartfelt focus of each issue, I find myself continuing to go back to it throughout the quarter, gaining a little something each time and looking forward to the upcoming issue. I highly recommend you visit taprootmag.com and subscribe.

Update: It’s been a very exciting week on our farm, with the arrival of our first lambs! Our ewes Lucy and Alice both gave birth to twins last week when I was in San Francisco for work, and while I was so bummed to have missed their births, I’m looking forward to our other ewes Ethel and Louise who should be lambing any day now. There’s speculation that Louise may even throw triplets…so exciting. I’ve been posting videos and photos over on Instagram, so follow me there to keep up with the going ons.

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks giveaway is Cathy B. You’ve won a copy of Helga Isager’s book Room 606 and yarn for the Ghita Cowl pattern. Congratulations!

The giveaway this week is sponsored by Tolt Yarn and Wool and we’re giving away a copy of Tolt’s book Farm to Needle. To enter, leave a comment on this blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-53-anna-greg-dianich-pinterest-saying-yes-role-reversals-and-tolt-yarn-and-wool/feed/115Episode 53: Anna & Greg Dianich - Pinterest, Saying yes, Role reversals and Tolt Yarn and WoolI’ve met very few people in life that match the passion, enthusiasm and joy of Anna Dianich and her infectious energy emanates from everything that surrounds her, including her shop, Tolt Yarn and Wool. It’s easy to forget though, that amazing women like Anna, have someone equally amazing beside them, cheering them on and supporting them through their endless ideas and gumption. Anna’s someone is her lovable and encouraging husband Greg. Together they’ve built a community, centered around this charming little yarn shop in the Pacific Northwest town of Carnation, Washington. You can find Anna and Greg and their super crew at toltyarnandwool.com and on Instagram @toltyarnandwool.Making 47:31
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4328Lessons in farming: Cattle bloathttp://woolful.com/lessons-farming-cattle-bloat/
http://woolful.com/lessons-farming-cattle-bloat/#commentsTue, 22 Mar 2016 19:14:25 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4247A few weeks ago we had a very eventful couple of days when the dogs continually took off to explore as we began moving them from their Winter paddock to the temporary fencing paddocks. On the first day, Lulu took off right after them. You see, Lulu believes she is a dog. She and our three Maremma sheepdogs are inseparable and if they are separated, she bellows until they come back…even if it’s all night long.

On one of the days of the dogs ‘exploring’, Ernst stayed back with me.

So three white fluffy dogs and a black pregnant cow take off running through the forest. Surprisingly Lulu is able to keep up with them, she’s a fast runner. We tracked them for a bit and then lost sight. So by quad, foot and car, we went looking for them. We received a couple phone calls from neighbors, “We just saw Lulu and the dogs running up the far road”. A hilarious sight I’m sure, but stressful nonetheless.

A couple hours later we spotted Ernst and Fritz in a large pasture a couple miles down the road. A wonderful neighbor of ours took David out on his ATV to go get them. As we neared, we saw Bertie with Lulu in a separate pasture, Lulu was too big to get through the fence and so Bertie stayed with her. I was so proud of Bertie, a redeeming situation being that she is generally the big trouble maker. David ran all the way home with Ernst and Fritz and then came back to help me with Lulu and Bertie. They had all probably ran 5-8 miles and Lulu looked beat. As I put her halter on and began leading her on the long walk home, she would stop anytime Bertie wandered off, waiting for her to return before resuming her walk. David drove our car and chauffeured us home…slowly but surely. As we drove/walked, we began singing the song “Best of Friends” from Fox and the Hound.

When you’re the best of friends Having so much fun together You’re not even aware You’re such a funny pair You’re the best of friends

Life’s a happy game You could clown around forever Neither one of you sees Your natural boundaries Life’s one happy game

If only the world wouldn’t get in the way If only people would just let you play They say you’re both being fools

When you’re the best of friends Sharing all that you discover When that moment has passed Will that friendship last? Who can say if there’s a way? Oh I hope, I hope it never ends ‘Cause you’re the best of friends

We were relieved that the dogs and Lulu were now safe at home, but a couple days later we noticed Lulu had horrible diarrhea and it only continued to get worse. That evening I found Lulu listless and despondent out in the pasture just staring at the fence. In the dark I went out and found her covered in her own feces, it was awful. It took me 30min to get her to walk just 30 yards back to the stable, with her stumbling every few feet. I put her together with the dogs so that they would snuggle and watch over her.

Over the course of the next few hours she became more bloated and her breathing became labored. It was painful to watch and not know what I could do. I spoke with our vet and he thought maybe she had grain overload and said it could very likely kill her and at this point there wasn’t much to do, but wait it out. I also spent some time talking with my friend Mary who is a cattle rancher, a woman I admire very much and shoots it straight. “A Trocar might save her, but a vet should do that and it’s a last resort”.

We don’t feed Lulu grain, but she has snuck some of the dogs food from time to time and with her recent escapade we wondered if somehow she found grain or something else. I spent much of that night out with her in the stable, rubbing her ears with lavender essential oil to help her relax and maybe release some gas, singing hymns to her and asking God to grant us ignorant new farmers some Grace. Lulu is an exceptional cow and the thought of losing her had me in tears more than once. I finally made my way to bed, knowing that whatever was going to happen would happen.

During the night David went and checked on her a couple times and we awoke in the morning to her still alive, but laying down in the stable with her feet sort of to the side because her belly was so large. I wasn’t convinced this was grain overload, but the bloat was obvious. I called the vet and he said he’d come out as soon as he could. About an hour before he showed up, all the sudden she got up and started walking around and while she was still very bloated it seemed to have diminished slightly and some of her energy was back. I honestly couldn’t believe my eyes.

When our vet arrived he spent some time monitoring her and checking her vitals and such. He then proceeded to put on a glove the went clear to his shoulder, lunge into a power stance only a seasoned vet (or rancher) can accomplish and went arm first into Lulu’s backside. Whoa. Thankfully David was there to catch it all on camera. haha.

The vet concluded that between the stress of so much exercise and eating something bad for cows (native poisonous plants and trees or a neighbors moldy hay) it was just the combination to send her into bloat. He was surprised at her recovery and said she’d soon be back to her normal sassy self. And, she was indeed pregnant.

Lessons learned and reinforced:

–Always work on your fencing. Good fencing is imperative, adequate is not. And if you think a cow can’t get through it, think again.
–Working dogs are lifesavers, literally. Even if they’re puppies and still learning, their value is incomparable. So thankful we have them. I’m positive they are largely the reason Lulu made it through the night. They all were laying against her, keeping her relaxed and comforted. Think about how you do ‘skin to skin’ with your babies? Same thing…I noticed her breathing became far more regulated when the dogs were next to her.
–Know your neighbors and build relationship with them. You’ll never know when you might need their help and vis versa.
–Keep dog food and any other sort of grain away from your family cow. Many cattle ranchers finish or feed grain, but that’s their deal and they lose cattle from bloat, it’s just the way things are. A family cow is much different. It’s sometimes all you have and the loss is significant in many ways.
–Help your cow relax and keep her company. Whether it’s singing hymns or rock songs, praying or pleading or rubbing their ears with lavender, keeping them company has a huge impact, I strongly believe.
–Find a good vet. One that will be honest with you and knows his stuff and doesn’t hesitate to get his hands dirty. Literally.
–Build your tribe. I strongly believe in the adage that “you are the company you keep” and I think that transcends to knowledge you can obtain from that company as well. Woolful has allowed me to meet some incredible people who are now close friends and so knowledgeable in farming and ranching and there when I need them, without hesitation. This is one of the greatest blessings in life.
–Every situation is different. What looks like something, might not actually be that something. Trust your gut (he he) and do what you can. Everything is a learning experience and had Lulu not made it, that too would be a lesson learned, albeit a far more difficult one. Read books, talk to folks doing what you’re doing and reach out to those more knowledgeable. But at the end of the day, we are ultimately not in control. Shit happens. And so we do what we can and we learn from it.

Sponsor: NorthCoast Knittery is a favorite in Humbolt county, with it’s charming storefront in Eureka California. NorthCoast Knittery opened it’s doors in 2008, with the hope to create a unique gathering place for fiber folk and help expand the local fiber community. It’s a wonderful spot to meet friends and work on projects as you enjoy a cup of tea. They offer a variety of classes and workshops, helping enhance your skill levels and each Thursday at 6pm they host a Sip & Knit social evening.

In September NorthCoast Knittery is hosting the “Knitting in the Redwoods” retreat. Four nights of relaxation, stories, delicious farm to table meals, great company and the peaceful surroundings of the Klamath river and Redwood National Park. The retreat takes place at the historic Requa Inn, and each day will bring a new workshop and special treat showcasing the incredible area. Make sure to visit NorthCoast Knittery in person when in Eureka and online at northcoastknittery.com for a full selection of beautiful yarns including Isager yarns, and to register for the Knitting in the Redwoods retreat. You can also find them on Instagram @northcoastknittery

And from now until March 31st, NorthCoast Knittery is offering a 10% discount on Isager yarns to all Woolful listeners. Use the code LoveWoolful (case sensitive) during checkout.

Fiber folk: For a long time I’ve been enchanted by the designs of Helga Isager. A few years ago I bought one of her books that was in Danish, and I began translating it so I could knit my favorites. Since then her books and patterns have been released in English, and they are some of the most beautiful designs I’ve ever seen, truly. Her work is a large part of what inspired me to take the leap and finally knit my first sweater a couple years ago, because I wanted so badly to work up the courage to eventually knit one of Helga’s designs.

From her delightful Danish voice, lineage and her exquisite taste in fashion, photography and styling, Helga is a benchmark in this industry and if you haven’t already become familiar with her work, I highly suggest you do.

Sponsor: Knit Purl is a wonderfully motivating yarn shop in Portland, Oregon founded by Darcy Cameron in 2004, with the intention to create a unique curated experience for yarn buyers. They’ve worked closely with local, regional and international makers and designers to provide a one of a kind experience, to fuel creativity for fiber and design enthusiasts. Each month they offer a great calendar of classes and events, and every other Wednesday you can join other fiber folk for Knit Night at 6pm. Make sure to stop by in person when in Portland and shop their large selection of yarns including Isager yarns at knit-purl.com. And find them on Instagram @knitpurlpdx

And from now until March 31st, Knit Purl is offering a 10% discount on Isager yarns to all Woolful listeners. Use the code ISAGERYARN10 in all caps during checkout.

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks giveaway is Ines Cruz. You’ve won a copy of Loop London’s book “10″. Congratulations!

The giveaway this week is sponsored by Amimono, and they’re giving away the book “Room 606” featuring a gorgeous selection of garment and accessory patterns designed by Helga Isager, and a few skeins of Isager yarn for the Ghita Cowl. To enter and be one of the winners, leave a comment on this blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-52-helga-isager-danish-countryside-italian-vogue-boarding-school-and-amimono/feed/111Episode 52: Helga Isager - Danish countryside, Italian Vogue, Boarding school, and AmimonoFor a long time I’ve been enchanted by the designs of Helga Isager. A few years ago I bought one of her books that was in Danish, and I began translating it so I could knit my favorites. Since then her books and patterns have been released in English, and they are some of the most beautiful designs I’ve ever seen, truly. Her work is a large part of what inspired me to take the leap and finally knit my first sweater a couple years ago, because I wanted so badly to work up the courage to eventually knit one of Helga’s designs. <br />
<br />
From her delightful Danish voice, lineage and her exquisite taste in fashion, photography and styling, Helga is a benchmark in this industry and if you haven’t already become familiar with her work, I highly suggest you do. <br />
<br />
You can find Helga at amimono.dk and on Instagram @helgaisagerMaking 42:41
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4287Episode 51: Susan Cropper – Manhattan, Mademoiselle magazine, Colour and Loop Londonhttp://woolful.com/episode-51-susan-cropper-manhattan-mademoiselle-magazine-colour-and-loop-london/
http://woolful.com/episode-51-susan-cropper-manhattan-mademoiselle-magazine-colour-and-loop-london/#commentsThu, 10 Mar 2016 19:57:20 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4263

Sponsor: It’s the one year anniversary of Home & Away: Knits for Everyday Adventures, a terrific book written and published by Hannah Fettig of Knitbot. And she’s hosting an Instagram fashion show, to celebrate all the beautiful and wearable knits you’ve made since the release last Spring. Hannah strives to design wearable knitwear for the modern knitter and her most recent book Home & Away features 9 wearable designs plus education, support and inspiration to help you grow as a knitter. Now through April 10th you can enter her Home & Away hashtag fashion show on Instagram. Show off how you style your finished knits by posting to Instagram with the hashtag #wewearknitbot and be eligible to win some great prizes! Hannah’s offering a $3 off the print or digital copy of Home & Away, so use the promo code wewearknitbot on her site and on Ravelry. You can find all the details and list of at knitbot.com and you can find Hannah on Instagram @knitbot

Fiber folk: Aesthetics plays a huge part in a fiber enthusiast’s making, naturally…and there are some certain folks who bring a special beauty to this world, channeled through their delightful shops and welcoming perspective in color, composition and atmosphere. One such person is the lovely Susan Cropper and her fiber emporium, Loop London. I wish I could transport myself to the streets of London and spend a day in this magical place, if you’re familiar with Loop’s books, patterns and Instagram account, you know exactly what I mean. With passion, exquisite taste and color, and a whole lot of love, Susan has built something we all should take a moment to experience. You can find Susan at loopknitting.com and on Instagram @looplondonloves

MAINE Knits was born of an idea from Beatrice Perron Dahlen, and is a project that comes straight from the depths of her heart. It’s a chance to honor the creative work that her and her fellow Maine folk are doing, joining talents to make something extraordinary to offer up to the rest of the hand knitting community.

Right now you can support this special project on Kickstarter to help fund the creation and publishing costs…so make sure to visit kickstarter.com and search for MAINE Knits and do what you can to support this great endeavor and it’s collaborators.

Update: It’s been awhile since I’ve given an update on Woolful and the farm, so I thought I’d share a little of what we’ve been up to. As some of you may have noticed, I’ve settled back into the weekly schedule for the podcast and it’s really nice to get back to that normalcy. Between a new life on the farm, motherhood, working and traveling to San Francisco each month where I lead design at a tech company, it’s been a fun challenge figuring out how all these things come together.

Over the past few months I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on the next steps for Woolful and slowly, but surely the stars are aligning for some exciting things I’ll share more about in the coming months.

If you follow me on Instagram than you may have seen the adventure we had last week with our Dexter cow Lulu and our three Maremma livestock guardian dogs. As we’ve been transitioning the animals from their Winter paddocks to the rotational paddocks, the dogs have been antsy to get out and explore our surrounding forest and neighbors pastures. Lulu believes very much that she is one of them and if at all separated she will bellow till the sun goes down and then bellow all night long. So, one particular day when the dogs ran off, Lulu busted straight through the fence and took off after them. Three pups and a cow, running through the forest and fields and down the country road for nearly three hours. It was quite the sight and accompanied by calls from neighbors, “We just saw Lulu and your dogs running up the road down by so and so’s property.” Oh my goodness, it was a bit stressful and at the same time exactly where I wanted to be…running through the woods, sloshing through pastures and then walking my cow all the way home down the road. A couple days later Lulu came down with some bad bloat. I being the new farmer that I am had no idea what caused it and the vet was sure she had grain overload or got into something nasty. He didn’t think she’d make it through the night and if I’m being honest, I was heartbroken and cried that night as I sat with her and worried. But here’s the deal, we’re ultimately not in control. I began preparing for what might likely happen and kept telling myself what so many others before me had said, “Life and death is the first lesson in farming”. So prayed for grace, that we would be granted grace for our ignorance and lack of forethought. Thankfully she made it through the night and when the vet came the next morning he was surprised to see her looking mildly better despite her distended middle. After checking her out he assured us that she was most likely on the road to recovery and gave us some tips about poisonous plants in our area to watch out for. And today, exactly a week later, she’s doing so much better. I’ll be posting a much more detailed recount of this event on the blog later this week, along with some interesting photos.

Giveaway: The winners of last week’s giveaways are Caitlin Johnson, you’ve won a copy of Annie Rowden’s Earlyrising hat pattern and 2 skeins of Wing and a Prayer Shetland yarn, and Michelle Miller you’ve won a copy of Mary Jane Mucklestone’s book 150 Scandinavia Motifs. Congratulations!

The giveaway this week is sponsored by Loop London and we’re giving away a copy of their most recent book “Loop’s 10”. To enter and be one of the winners, leave a comment on this blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-51-susan-cropper-manhattan-mademoiselle-magazine-colour-and-loop-london/feed/117Sponsor: It’s the one year anniversary of Home & Away: Knits for Everyday Adventures, a terrific book written and published by Hannah Fettig of Knitbot. And she’s hosting an Instagram fashion show, to celebrate all the beautiful and wearable knits you’...
Sponsor: It’s the one year anniversary of Home & Away: Knits for Everyday Adventures, a terrific book written and published by Hannah Fettig of Knitbot. And she’s hosting an Instagram fashion show, to celebrate all the beautiful and wearable knits you’ve made since the release last Spring. Hannah strives to design wearable knitwear for the modern knitter and her most recent book Home & Away features 9 wearable designs plus education, support and inspiration to help you grow as a knitter. Now through April 10th you can enter her Home & Away hashtag fashion show on Instagram. Show off how you style your finished knits by posting to Instagram with the hashtag #wewearknitbot and be eligible to win some great prizes! Hannah’s offering a $3 off the print or digital copy of Home & Away, so use the promo code wewearknitbot on her site and on Ravelry. You can find all the details and list of at knitbot.com and you can find Hannah on Instagram @knitbot

Fiber folk: Aesthetics plays a huge part in a fiber enthusiast’s making, naturally…and there are some certain folks who bring a special beauty to this world, channeled through their delightful shops and welcoming perspective in color, composition and atmosphere. One such person is the lovely Susan Cropper and her fiber emporium, Loop London. I wish I could transport myself to the streets of London and spend a day in this magical place, if you’re familiar with Loop’s books, patterns and Instagram account, you know exactly what I mean. With passion, exquisite taste and color, and a whole lot of love, Susan has built something we all should take a moment to experience. You can find Susan at loopknitting.com and on Instagram @looplondonloves

Sponsor: MAINE Knits is a collaboration between the hand knitwear designers, yarn makers, dyers and wool-loving folk of Maine. The book includes patterns for 7 garments and 7 accessories, photographs and essays, with knitting designs by Carrie Bostick Hoge, Alicia Plummer, Bristol Ivy,Cecily Glowik Mcdonald, Mary Jane Mucklestone, Elizabeth Smith, Leah B. Thibault, Kristen TenDyke, Leila Raabe and Beatrice Perron Dahlen. And a foreward written by Pam Allen of Quince & Co.
MAINE Knits was born of an idea from Beatrice Perron Dahlen, and is a project that comes straight from the depths of her heart. It’s a chance to honor the creative work that her and her fellow Maine folk are doing, joining talents to make something extraordinary to offer up to the rest of the hand knitting community.
Right now you can support this special project on Kickstarter to help fund the creation and publishing costs…so make sure to visit kickstarter.com and search for MAINE Knits and do what you can to s...]]>Making 35:27
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4263Making with Farm Yarns: Moeke yarns + crocheted mason jarshttp://woolful.com/making-with-farm-yarns-moeke-yarns-crocheted-mason-jars/
http://woolful.com/making-with-farm-yarns-moeke-yarns-crocheted-mason-jars/#commentsTue, 08 Mar 2016 21:18:48 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4248Today I’m introducing a new series on the blog, centered around making with farm yarns. Farm yarns are something I’ve developed a passion around and while there’s no lack of projects to knit with them, sometimes it’s hard to wade through all the possibilities and actually get around to the project. So here is where I’ll share projects and patterns I or others have knit, with these beloved farm yarns.

Many of you know of my appreciation for the Romanian Moeke Yarns and it’s founder Ioana. It’s hard to believe it’s been over a year since we first met, when she was just launching her yarn brand and had yet to launch it here in the States. She shared her and her family’s story on the podcast last January, which you can listen to here. I encourage you to listen, even with the somewhat poor sound quality due to a rough overseas connection. The work that her entire family puts into this yarn, it’s incredible.

And so much has happened since it all started and Moeke is now a fairly common name amongst knitters, at least in the Instagram community it is. Several beautiful designs have come out, with Junko Okamoto and her designs being some of my favorites. But I want to call your attention to maybe a lesser known yarn of their’s called Stela. Named after Ioana’s mother, this yarn is hardworking, strong and rustic. I’ve used it in a shawl and love the rustic feel, but at it’s heart it’s a utilitarian yarn, best used for hardworking and decorative knits. So here is the first I’ll share, knit with Moeke’s Stela yarn.

Last year a friend emailed a photo of crocheted mason jars and suggested Stela would be a great fit for such a project. I thought they were lovely and they were catalogued into the depths of my project queue. Fast forward a year and I needed a quick gift for a friend, something that was a bit of ‘me’ and a bit of ‘her’. Whenever I go through my stash I always pause at my Moeke yarns, trying to think of something I can make with them and in this instance I was about to dismiss them when I remembered the photo of the crocheted mason jar covers…perfect! Less than a skein of Stela, a mason jar + candle, a pattern off Pinterest and 45 minutes later I was set. I had to make some minor adjustments to the pattern I used based on the size of my jar and the worsted weight of the Stela yarn, but it was simple enough to size it down by eliminating one of the body sections of the pattern and using a different sized hook.

]]>http://woolful.com/making-with-farm-yarns-moeke-yarns-crocheted-mason-jars/feed/242484/52 Weeks of Wool: Romneyhttp://woolful.com/52-weeks-of-wool-romney/
http://woolful.com/52-weeks-of-wool-romney/#commentsFri, 04 Mar 2016 17:26:43 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4238It’s been an eventful week around here, with our Maremma pups having some ‘escapades‘ in our surrounding forest (more on that later), along with our beloved Dexter dairy cow Lulu joining them on one such event and coming down with bloat and scours. We weren’t sure she was going to make it, but thankfully she’s pulling through and I’ll be writing a whole post about this (with photos)…there’s a lot more to share.

Although this post mark’s the 4th week of my 52 Weeks of wool project, I’ve been keeping up with the actual spinning each week, just a bit behind on the posts.

And now I make a novice claim…Romney is the perfect fiber to learn and begin spinning with! Of the 8+ fibers I’ve spun thus far, this has been the easiest to maintain consistency in weight and drafting. Romney is not the softest of fibers, but it’s rusticity lends itself so well to the beginner spinner’s eager will and is forgiving of the minor pauses in cadence that are often unforgiving in other fibers. At least this is my experience and I’ve heard something similar from a couple other spinners since, so if you’re new to spinning or wanting to get started, I suggest Romney wholeheartedly.

The Romney has a nice halo and being that it’s long-wool, it has a nice strength to it, similar to the Cotswold I spun, but it has less luster than the Cotswold and is more rustic-not as soft…a quality that I love personally. I had so much fun spinning and plying this amazing wool and seeing the results of a consistent and very satisfying yarn.

The roving I spun came from Prado de Lana, a fiber farm created by Amanda and Alberto Barcenas along with their two children Sammy and Noelia, in Chester County Pennsylvania. I’ve loved learning a little bit more about their farm and homestead, finding similarities behind the desires of why we both do what we do…’creating awesome business adventures and creating unforgettable memories and learning opportunities with our children’. It’s exciting to see another young family pursuing their passions in organic gardening and fiber farming, and a great example that if something similar is calling to your heart, it is possible…really it is.

The Barcenas’ raise Lincoln Longwool and Romney sheep, with fleeces ranging from white, grey, chocolate brown and taupe. The sheep are due to lamb this month and next, so make sure to follow along on their blog for updates! ell locks, roving and some really scrumptious looking yarn from their flock. They also make and sell wood knitting needles from oak, walnut and birch. Their Romney’s fleece range from white, grey, chocolate brown and taupe. You can read more about this special farm and family at www.pradodelana.com and on Instagram @pradodelana

Sponsor: In 2013, Anna Dianich opened Tolt Yarn and Wool. a local yarn shop in the beautiful Pacific Northwest town of Carnation, Washington. Last Fall we celebrated Tolt’s second anniversary, with the release of a very special book, Farm to Needle: Stories of Wool. When we pick up our needles and cast-on the first stitch, we become part of something much bigger than the project at hand. Farmers, shearers, spinners and dyers are working hard not only to produce the yarn we love, but to preserve a way of life that is at real risk of being lost. Farm to Needle invites you to join a journey; to peek behind the scenes of some of our favorite producers and gain a deeper understanding of the people, places, and animals at work. Discover Aspen Hollow Farm, Green Mountain Spinnery, Imperial Stock Ranch, Thirteen Mile Farm, YOTH, Saco River Dye House, and Twirl through patterns by Dianna Walla, Tif Fussell, Veronika Jobe, Karen Templer, Andrea Rangel, Annie Rowden and myself. This book was beautifully captured by a hardworking team, lead by Anna and Kathy Cadigan.

March is Icelandic Wool Month at Tolt, and to celebrate they’re hosting classes by Cirilia Rose and Andrea Mowry along with an Icealandic Knit-A-Long. You can find details on their blog.

I hope you take some time to get to know Tolt better. If you’ve had the privilege of visiting Tolt in person, you know how truly amazing this place is. It’s evident the heart and soul Anna and her incredible team put into creating an experience that feels like home with your fiber family. What a special place to have in this fiber community of ours. Make sure to visit Tolt in Carnation and online at Toltyarnandwool.com for a very special collection of fibers, notion and books, including Tolt’s book Farm to Needle and follow along on Instagram @toltyarnandwool.com

Fiber folk: Mary Jane Mucklestone is a gem that shines bright in this community, and if you’ve had the pleasure of meeting her, then you know what I’m talking about. Her designs and footprint in color work has made her knowledge a staple in the fiber world. Her energy is infectious and her passion even more so. You can find Mary Jane at maryjanemucklestone.com and on Instagram @mjmucklestone and you can find more info about Mary and Gudrun’s Shetland trips theshetlandtrader.com/shetland-trips

Photo by Mary Jane Mucklestone and Kathy Cadigan

Sponsor: Wing and a Prayer Farm is a fiber farm with beautiful pastures in Shaftsbury, Vermont and maker of some of the most delicious Shetland and true farm yarns I’ve had the privilege of using. The owner and operator of Wing and a Prayer farm is Tammy White, an incredible woman with a huge heart for both human and animal and everything in between. I’ve had the privilege of watching part of her fiber journey unfold as she shared a bit of her story in Episode 16 and has taken such care in creating a collection of yarns from her fiber flock which consists of Cotswold, Cormo, Shetland, Corriedale, Merino, Mohair and Alpaca…resulting in fibers that are a pleasure to knit with and wear.

Last month Annie Rowden of By Annie Claire released a beautiful new pattern, Earlyrising…a cabled hat designed with Wing and a Prayer’s Shetland yarn, a rustic yet soft 100% Shetland wool. This hat is the perfect ‘let’s get the chores done’ kind of hat, full of texture and all over intertwining cables.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-50-mary-jane-mucklestone-oscar-de-la-renta-fair-isle-and-scandinavian-colorwork-andean-knitting-and-grand-shetland-adventures/feed/132Episode 50: Mary Jane Mucklestone - Oscar de la Renta, Fair Isle and Scandinavian colorwork, Andean knitting and grand Shetland adventuresMary Jane Mucklestone is a gem that shines bright in this community, and if you’ve had the pleasure of meeting her, then you know what I’m talking about. Her designs and footprint in color work has made her knowledge a staple in the fiber world. Her energy is infectious and her passion even more so. You can find Mary Jane at maryjanemucklestone.com and on Instagram @mjmucklestone and you can find more info about Mary and Gudrun's Shetland trips theshetlandtrader.com/shetland-trips<br />Making 48:38
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4215Update: Simple archive of podcast episodeshttp://woolful.com/update-simple-archive-of-podcast-episodes/
http://woolful.com/update-simple-archive-of-podcast-episodes/#commentsSun, 28 Feb 2016 17:49:54 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4209I’ll be making some small, but helpful updates to the blog and podcast in the coming months…and the first one is a simple archive of podcast episodes in list form. No need to search and search for a past episode and you have access to ALL of them, whereas iTunes only has the last 20. You can find a link to the podcast episodes archive at the top of the site in the header menu…

Sponsor: Loop is London’s leading local yarn shop, created by Susan Cropper in 2005, with the intention to bring the joy of colour, texture and design to the local fibre community. The shop itself is a warm, friendly place…full of inspiration and charisma, and you can see the care Susan has taken to create an inviting environment where folks can find the yarns they love and learn from the masters of their crafts…including Juju Vail, Jane Lithgow, Stephen West, Helene Magnusson, and Melanie Berg to name just a few.

This past Fall Loop celebrated their 10th anniversary, and to celebrate they released their newest book aptly named, ’10’…featuring twelve gorgeous patterns from designers Meghan Fernandes, Stephen West, Rachel Atkinson, Paulina Popiolek, Donna Higgins, Kristen Kapur, Ysolda Teague, Juju Vail, Tif Fussell, Claire Montgomerie and Pam Allen. I’m a big fan of Susan’s eye for composition, with each pattern being beautifully photographed and knit in a color dyed just for Loop. You can find the book at Loop, their shop online and at a handful of lovely local yarn shops and some great news, you can now find the e-book version of ’10’ on Ravelry.

Loop has an extensive online shop in addition to their cozy London shop in Islington. Make sure to visit Loop in person if you’re nearby or just passing through, and online at loopknitting.com and on Instagram @looplondonloves.

Fiber folk: Print publications play an important part in this fiber community of ours, and a key player in this editorial and inspirational world is Amirisu…a Japanese knitting magazine founded by Meri and Tokuko, featuring patterns in both Japanese and English accompanied by beautifully written articles and photography. Meri left her career as a consultant to pursue this passion in fiber and never looked back. From Amirisu to Walnut, Amirisu’s local yarn shop, Meri is a creative inspiration and fiber powerhouse. You can find Meri at amirisu.com and on Instagram @amirisushop.

Sponsor: Moeke yarns was founded by Ioana van Deurzen in 2014, alongside her brother Radu, his wife and their parents. Ioana and her family have an incredible story, which you can hear about in Episode 8, and this story is what spurred the dream and now reality of creating a yarn company. The Moeke yarns are full of character, from the unique European breeds they’re made of, to the traditional Romanian spinning mills and the natural dyeing that Ioana’s parents do in their home in Romania. From her childhood, growing up in Romania during the revolution, her immersion in fiber through her grandmother and her purposeful journey to bring something back to the Romanian community, Moeke yarns is one of my favorite yarns and I hope it becomes one of yours as well.

Giveaway: The winner of last week’s giveaway is Claudia Manley. You’ve won Romi Hill’s new book “New Lace Knitting” and 4 skeins of The Fibre Company’s Terra yarn from Kelbourne Woolens. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Amirisu and they’re giving away 3 copies of the Amirisu magazine. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment on this blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-49-meri-tanaka-japanese-fiber-culture-twitter-connections-building-a-magazine-and-amirisu/feed/82Episode 49: Meri Tanaka- Japanese fiber culture, Twitter connections, building a magazine, and AmirisuPrint publications play an important part in this fiber community of ours, and a key player in this editorial and inspirational world is Amirisu…a Japanese knitting magazine founded by Meri and Tokuko, featuring patterns in both Japanese and English accompanied by beautifully written articles and photography. Meri left her career as a consultant to pursue this passion in fiber and never looked back. From Amirisu to Walnut, Amirisu's local yarn shop, Meri is a creative inspiration and fiber powerhouse. You can find Meri at amirisu.com and on Instagram @amirisushop.<br />Making 45:35
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41973/52 Weeks of Wool: Shetlandhttp://woolful.com/52-weeks-of-wool-shetland/
http://woolful.com/52-weeks-of-wool-shetland/#commentsThu, 18 Feb 2016 21:20:03 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4177Back in SF this week for work and a short jaunt to Stitches West, so I find myself with a bit more time in the evenings to catch up on 52 Weeks of Wool posts. I’ve got 6 different skeins of breed specific handspun yarn, just waiting to be knit and shown off.

I’ve found a new ritual each morning. Pulling our makeshift quilt curtain from the window, stoking the fire and shuffling to my wheel soon after waking up. Sitting down I have to reacquaint myself, it’s not quite become second nature like knitting has and often times Coltrane is at my side, with his foot next to mine on the treadle or his hand on mine as I draft. While his attention lasts just a few moments, it’s precious.

This marks my third week’s wool and very much a joy in the struggle. Squishy, lovely, lofty Shetland.

The previous two week’s I’d worked with fibers that had longer staple lengths and so I was setup for a surprise as I began spinning the short staple Shetland roving. It became apparent right away that I needed to alter specific mechanics of my spinning. When I began, I kept losing the yarn as I drafted, a key indicator to my novice self that I needed to shorten my draw significantly and while I have gotten pretty good at consistent treadling at varying speeds, I realized right away that I needed to slow down in order to keep up with my slower and shorter drafting and keeping the weight consistent. Reading all this is humorous because at the time I was like “why isn’t this working?”. I had intended to spin a fingering weight single, but shifted my goal happily to a worsted or aran (albeit a bit lumpy), chiding myself for being so confident in my beginner skills. Wheel 1, Ashley 0. hah!

So it was a great lesson in ‘reading the wool’ if you will. What exact mechanics I need to adjust to achieve the results I’m looking for. Coincidently, Amanda Soule who sent me this lovely Shetland fiber, sent me two bumps, so I’m saving the second for when my skills are a bit more refined and I’m ready to tackle the fingering weight single again.

I also plied for my first time and used my wheel instead of a drop spindle how I’d originally planned, because a reader kindly reached out a explained how with just one bobbin…so thank you! My happy plied Cormo from week 2.

Over the holidays I received a box full of wooly goodness from Amanda Soule, a spinner herself, fiber farmer and founder of Taproot Magazine. There were two bumps of roving, named Frances and Nutmeg…two from her flock of Shetlands, many named after spices. You had me at Nutmeg. And considering Coltrane’s middle name is ‘Francis’ and if he’d been a girl his first name would have been ‘Frances’, I felt an instant connection to these balls of lofty wool…silly maybe, but you know what I mean.

It’s been fun to watch Amanda’s own spinning and fiber farming journey through Instagram and her blog. It wasn’t until after I had spun her Shetland that I found a resonating post on her blog paralleling lessons in parenting and spinning. I love it when I stumble upon these treasures.

Sponsor: Designs by Romi came about serendipitously in 2005 when designer Romi Hill began creating a collection of simple and elegant shawl pins as a solution to her problem of the shawls she’d worked so hard on, not staying put. What started as a bespoke side project, soon turned into passion, leading to knitwear designs many of us have come to love. Romi’s style transcends the common wardrobe, appealing to both novice and seasoned knitters. Her most recent book “New Lace Knitting: Designs for Wide Open Spaces” is a celebration of lace, a brilliant collection incorporating lace patterns with some of our favorite yarns…including The Fibre Company yarns. Make sure to check out New Lace Knitting on Ravelry or your local yarn shop. And this weekend if you find yourself at Stitches West, make sure to stop by and say hi to Romi in person who will be at the Verb for Keeping Warm booth #917,919 and 921, where they will be presenting a new mystery shawl kit which includes 2 skeins of A Verb for Keeping Warm naturally dyed yarn, a limited edition shawl pin by Romi and the first clue for the mystery shawl…all wrapped up in a special Stitches West project bag. For those who can’t make it to Stitches, you’ll be able to find these kits on the Verb website. You’ll also find a few limited edition yarns, new patterns and pins and a Romi and Verb trunk show. You can find Design by Romi at designsbyromi.com and follow her on Instagram @romidesigns

Fiber folk: Just listen to today’s episode and you’ll hear the spirit behind Courtney Kelley and Kate Gagnon Osborn and it makes complete sense how Kelbourne Woolens came to be…two great minds, inspiring design, gumption and of course the wonderful Fibre Company yarns. Sometimes you just need to take the leap, and you might just find you’re no longer floundering and have happened upon a fulfilling life in wool. You can find Courtney and Kate at Kelbournewoolens.com and on Instagram @kelbournewoolens.

Sponsor: Brooklyn General Store was created in 2002 and is owned and operated by Catherine Clark. Tucked away on a sweet block West of the Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill neighborhoods, Brooklyn General Store is the enchanting fiber and textile emporium we all dream of. Dreams full of wooly goodness, yards and yards of fabric, felt, dyes, patterns, tools, and handmade gifts. A little old and a little new…a classic general store for the maker who loves to make their own everything. With a charming studio, the shop hosts a variety of wonderful classes taught by special folks including Cal Patch, Nguyen Le, Heather Love and many more. With it’s floor to ceiling shelves, old rolling ladders, and old wood floors, it feels as though you’ve stepped into a wooly wonderland…I so wish I lived closer and could adopt this shop as my own lys, but thankfully they have an online shop filled to the brim with all of their fiber and sewing goods and gifts…including the Fibre Company yarns. So if you’re in the Brooklyn area or just passing through, visit Brooklyn General Store in person and find them online at brooklyngeneral.com and on Instagram @brooklyngeneralstore

Giveaway: The winner of last week’s giveaway is, Rose, you’ve won a $25 gift certificate from Craft South. Congratulations!

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-48-kate-gagnon-osborn-courtney-kelley-floundering-destiny-the-fibre-company-yarns-and-kelbourne-woolens/feed/79Episode 48: Kate Gagnon Osborn & Courtney Kelley - Floundering, destiny, The Fibre Company yarns and Kelbourne WoolensJust listen to today’s episode and you’ll hear the spirit behind Courtney Kelley and Kate Gagnon Osborn and it makes complete sense how Kelbourne Woolens came to be…two great minds, inspiring design, gumption and of course the wonderful Fibre Company yarns. Sometimes you just need to take the leap, and you might just find you’re no longer floundering and have happened upon a fulfilling life in wool. You can find Courtney and Kelley at Kelbournewoolens.com and on Instagram @kelbournewoolens.Making 46:22
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4153Episode 47: Anna Maria Horner – Planless, intellectual property, Motherhood, and Craft Southhttp://woolful.com/4131-2/
http://woolful.com/4131-2/#commentsFri, 05 Feb 2016 00:28:41 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4131

Sponsor: Chicken Boots came to be from a love of all things functional and fiber. Creator and founder Saremy Duffy started her career in the fashion industry and as a designer and pattern drafter in apparel and outerwear. With a longing to bring her own designs to market, combined with her love of knitting and sewing comes Chicken Boots was born, fun and carefully crafted cases to store your most prized knitting and sewing notions. The effort and passion Saremy puts into her products is evident and I encourage you to find the Chicken Boots booth at Stitches West later this month, check out all the handy bags and cases and show her some love. You can find Chicken Boots at chickenbootsusa.com and on Instagram @chickenbootusa

Fiber folk: Behind every name, achievement or brand is a person. A person with a very real story…a story of where they are today in life and the journey that got them there. Anna Maria has a smile and voice that shines as bright as the fabrics she designs, but more than that, she has a personal story – from traversing early motherhood and 7 children through a career in design, to marriage, entrepreneurship and making. I hope you feel the passion and inspiration. You can find Anna Maria at annamariahorner.com and craft-south.com and on Instagram @annamariahorner and @craftsouth.

Sponsor: Craft South is a destination for makers and a supply shop for locals, located in Nashville Tennessee and founded by Anna Maria Horner. I always love finding shops that combine both the love of making from fabric and fiber, and Craft South is a gem in our community and I’m excited for you to hear a bit more about it’s story and founder in today’s episode. A well curated shop featuring fabrics, yarns, embroidery and Janome sewing machines. And most importantly you’ll find all the tools to support your making, including a calendar full of workshops and weekly classes in sewing, patchwork, knitting, embroidery, and kids camp and taught by some of our favorites including Rebekka Seale, Jen Beeman, Karen Templer, Carolyn Friedlander, Anna Maria Horner and more. Make sure to visit Craft South in person when in Nashville and online at craft-south.com and follow along on Instagram @craftsouth.

Woolful Knitalong:It’s been fun to see so many folks joining in on the latest WoolfulKAL where we’re knitting the Portland Pullover designed by Carrie Bostick Hoge in Brooklyn Tweed’s Shelter yarn and featured in the latest Taproot magazine issue “Shelter“. The knit along goes to the end of March so there’s still plenty of time to grab the issue and knit along with us. If you’re on Instagram make sure to checkout the hashtag woolfulKAL to follow along with all the beautiful knits. To find the Portland Pullover pattern, head to taprootmag.com and look for the latest issue “Shelter”.

52 Weeks of Wool:If you follow me on Instagram or my blog than you may have seen a fun project I’ve taken on this year called 52 Weeks of Wool. Each week I hand spin a new wool breed from a fiber flock from here in the US or abroad, and share my experience on the blog and Instagram. My goal for this project is to handle as many different types of wool as possible, and share a bit about each farm and flock that the wool comes from, helping bring light to many sheep breeds and producers. If you have a flock, fiber farm or know someone who does, I hope you’ll consider joining me on this project by sending me a small tuft of fleece to spin. If you’re interested, shoot me an email at hello@woolful.com.

Giveaway: The winner of last week’s giveaway is, Kristin, you’ve won a skein of Suri Alpaca yarn from Old Homestead Alpacas. Congratulations!

This week we’re giving away a $25 gift card to Craft South! To enter, leave a comment on this blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/4131-2/feed/80Episode 47: Anna Maria Horner - Planless, intellectual property, Motherhood, and Craft SouthBehind every name, achievement or brand is a person. A person with a very real story…a story of where they are today in life and the journey that got them there. Anna Maria has a smile and voice that shines as bright as the fabrics she designs, but more than that, she has a personal story - from traversing early motherhood and 7 children through a career in design, to marriage, entrepreneurship and making. I hope you feel the passion and inspiration. You can find Anna Maria at annamariahorner.com and craft-south.com and on Instagram @annamariahorner and @craftsouth.Making 74:44
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41312/52 Weeks of Wool: Cormohttp://woolful.com/52-weeks-of-wool-cormo/
http://woolful.com/52-weeks-of-wool-cormo/#commentsThu, 28 Jan 2016 04:29:21 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4113In spite of my growing spinning habit (read – can’t stop won’t stop spinning), I’m a bit behind on my 52 Week of Wool posts here on the blog. I’m currently working from SF this week and so I have my evenings to catch up.

This marks my second week’s wool and it’s my most favorite sheep breed of all…Cormo.

I’m having a lot of fun spinning. Far more than I anticipated I would. Like, ‘let Coltrane stay up two hours past his bedtime so I can spin more’ fun. Try as I might, I often find myself falling asleep when I put Coltrane to bed, and there’s no getting up once that happens. I blame it on Winter.

This week was quite a different experience than last. My drafting skills are getting far better, which excites me so much. While I love the rustic lumpy bumpy, being able to spin a consistent weight for longer periods of time is so satisfying. The twist however with this batch of wool is that it came to me as a washed fleece, not roving. I was excited to use my antique hand carders I picked up at a shop in Nampa, Idaho when visiting my friend Liz last year. I grabbed them off the wall in my studio and got to work. Yeah, way different. I’m not entirely sure I was doing it right, or that I should use the carders again being that much wear on them at this age is going to break them down further. It was fun though, despite it turning out far from roving, hah. After carding a couple ounces into sweet fluffy clouds, I got to spinning. Drafting was a bit more challenging due to the nature of how I carded the wool…it was less even, so I had to compensate for that as I drafted and spun…something I was getting the hang of, but resulted in less consistent weights overall.

The result? A soft, billowy and perfectly rustic Cormo handspun. There’s just something about Cormo I can’t quite put into words.

Considering I’m so new to spinning, it’s probably obvious, but I’ve never plied before. The spinning wheel isn’t really setup to ply currently and I only have one bobbin (need to order more!), but I figured there’s probably another way to ply and I found this great YouTube tutorial on how to ply using a center pull cake wound on a winder, and then plied using a drop spindle, which I have. I plan to ply this yarn when I get back from my trip next week.

I began perusing blanket patterns this past week as well, contemplating what style of blanket I’d like to make from this project. It will be a little challenging as I will need to compensate for the different weights and gauges, but it’s completely doable. I’m thinking a type of mitered square or cross.

The Cormo locks came from Clear View Farm in Waterman, Illinois. The farm is owned and operated by Sandra Schrader who started with three sheep in 2005 and now has over 20. Sandra’s focus for the farm is to produce high quality American Cormo wool and breeding stock, as well as Angora bunny fiber and she holds workshops and tours on her beautiful farm. You can find fleeces and washed locks on her website, as well as more information about Clear View Farm.

Sponsor:Old Homestead Alpacas is a beautiful homestead built in the 1870’s, located in Walla Walla Washington and now owned and operated by Elaine Vandiver and her husband. They’re creating a wonderful and welcoming place, with visions to live off the land and share their goods with their local community and beyond, including their gorgeous alpaca fiber and yarn. But their dreams go much deeper, and their story even deeper still. Elaine is an Iraq War vet and her husband a soldier in the National Guard, and as members of the Farmer Veterans Coalition, they are hopeful that this year they will be able to partner with their local VA hospital to start a program to bring returning combat vets suffering from PTSD and other service related trauma to the farm, sharing with them the incredible opportunity and purpose a career in farming can bring…something they themselves have found to be positively life changing. I encourage you to visit Old Homestead Alpacas on Facebook at Facebook.com/oldhomesteadalpacas, on Instagram @oldhomesteadalpacas and their lovely shop full of alpaca goodness at etsy.com/shop/oldhomesteadalpacas

Fiber folk: Max Bainbridge and Abigail Booth have built a life and business together in East London. Max is a woodworker and Abigail a natural dyer and quilter, and despite their individual practices seeming very different – their roots in traditional craft and the natural environment make them a perfect combo. It’s been a pleasure to follow their journey this past year as they’ve built their business and explored the different facets of making. You can find them at forest-and-found.com and on Instagram @forestandfound. And with that, here’s Max and Abigail…

Sponsor:6 Bits Storybooks, is a digital quarterly publication for knitters who love to immerse themselves deeply in their knitting experience…from the mouths of story tellers: knitters, photographers, writers, designers, friends & nature. These storybooks incorporate designs, imagery, location, words, learning and tools to create an deeply engaging experience, taking readers on a journey. 6 Bits was created by two incredibly passionate and inspiring folks within this community, Melissa and Melody, and this week they’re releasing their second issue Dwell, a beautiful digital editorial magazine, featuring articles from international knitters and dyers, where you hear the ‘whole’ story behind the designs and modeled in beautiful environment tied to the issues theme. So make sure to visit 6 Bits Storybooks at 6bitsstorybooks.com to subscribe to this stunning new publication and experience the newest issue Dwell and follow along on Instagram @6.bits.storybooks.

Giveaway: The winner of last week’s giveaway is, Erica Garris. You’ve won a skein of the beautiful Pamiri yarn from Kismet Fiber Works. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Old Homestead Alpacas and they’re giving away a skein of their small farm Suri Alpaca yarn, homegrown in Walla Walla Washington. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment on today’s episode’s blog post at woolful.com.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-46-max-bainbridge-abigail-booth-london-amish-inspiration-traditional-crafts-and-forest-and-found/feed/78Episode 46: Max Bainbridge & Abigail Booth - London, Amish inspiration, traditional crafts and Forest and FoundMax Bainbridge and Abigail Booth have built a life and business together in East London. Max is a woodworker and Abigail a natural dyer and quilter, and despite their individual practices seeming very different - their roots in traditional craft and the natural environment make them a perfect combo. It’s been a pleasure to follow their journey this past year as they’ve built their business and explored the different facets of making. You can find them at forest-and-found.com and on Instagram @forestandfound. And with that, here’s Max and Abigail...Making 51:34
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40891/52 Weeks of Wool: Cotswoldhttp://woolful.com/52-weeks-of-wool-cotswold/
http://woolful.com/52-weeks-of-wool-cotswold/#commentsThu, 14 Jan 2016 01:28:08 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4079This marks my first week of the 52 Week of Wool project, and my first handspun yarn…something I’m pretty dang excited about. You can find some background on this project here.

It was a bit of an interesting start. Being that I’m new to spinning, I’m also new to spinning wheels. I was lent an old Ashford Traditional wheel by a neighbor last Summer and when I started to try and spin on it, it wasn’t going how I had been shown or watched in videos. I fumbled around for a couple nights, ending in frustration and bewilderment. So I consulted YouTube once again and realized there were some vital pieces missing…the tension knob, tension springs and tension string. I found some Ashford maintenance kits online, but realized I could probably just as easily find the parts at our local hardware store. And that I did. So that evening I fashioned the springs and string and a temporary knob out of a pencil…haha. I’ll replace that part once I find the right sized dowel and knob. And now it works like a charm, as far as I can tell.

As I began to spin words of wisdom from my class at Verb kept coming back to me…”it’s all about the drafting”…”don’t let go of the fiber”…”steady, steady, steady” and so on. What started as fast and VERY lumpy and VERY bumpy, quickly turned into slow and steady and fairly consistent. About halfway through spinning this first batch I got so excited I kept saying out loud to David, “check it out, I’m a spinner! How awesome is this, I’m making yarn!”…about 10 times. He laughed in encouragement from behind his book. As I progressed through the few ounces of wool, I practiced trying different weights, from fingering to what might be considered worsted and such. All the sudden I looked down and all the wool was gone! It went by so fast I hadn’t even realized, the cadence of it all setting me into a sort of wool trance.

Tamara White of Wing and a Prayer Farm is a fiber farmer in Vermont and also happens to be one of my closest friends and greatest encouragers so it seemed only fitting I kick off this project with some wool near and dear. Anyone who knows Tammy, knows her huge heart for both human and animal and everything in between. The amount of things this woman accomplishes in a day blows my mind and when I wonder how I’m going to get it all done I think of her and know it’s possible. Between a pie baking business, a full-time farm (Sheep, llamas, alpacas, horses, a pony, chickens, turkeys, peacocks, goats, a pig, donkeys, dogs, cats), yarn making, workshops and retreats, this woman is a machine. Her fiber flock consists of Cotswold, Cormo, Shetland, Corriedale, Merino, Mohair and Alpaca. She sent me a bag of her fluffy Cotswold, a wool I had not yet worked with which made it all the more exciting.

Let me preface my description of this fiber with the disclaimer that while I have learned an immense amount about breed specific wools and yarn making these past two years since starting the Woolful blog, I am still very much new to it all and far from an expert. My descriptions are based on my experience and gut reactions.

This Cotswold fiber is incredibly soft, something that I was slightly surprised by considering I don’t often hear about it. The luster while noticeable in the roving, is far more present in the yarn…an incredible sheen. The staple length is about 6″ and the roving I was sent was milled by Michael of Hampton Fiber Mill, also in Vermont and a guest of the podcast along with Tammy. The finished yarn was incredibly strong too. I’m unsure if this is a common trait of handspun yarn considering it’s twist, but I love the sturdiness of it. The end product has a beautiful soft halo and I couldn’t be more pleased with my first adventure in spinning. I can’t wait to knit the blanket square from it.

]]>http://woolful.com/52-weeks-of-wool-cotswold/feed/9407952 Weeks of Wool: The beginninghttp://woolful.com/52-weeks-of-wool-the-beginning/
http://woolful.com/52-weeks-of-wool-the-beginning/#commentsFri, 08 Jan 2016 23:48:00 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4062A few podcast episodes back I shared about a new project I’m embarking on over the course of the next 52 weeks…well 51 now. I thought it might be good to share a bit about my hopes and goals for this project.

For the past year I’ve mentioned off and on about my hope to learn to spin on a wheel, while at the same time agonizing a bit over the thought that it will take precious time away from knitting. However, the desire to spin has nagged at me ever since I took an Intro to Spinning class at A Verb for Keeping Warm exactly a year ago, and so I decided to go for it.

I am a total newb to spinning. I’ve only spun with a drop spindle twice. I’ve had a wheel in my house for the past 6 months and only practiced treadling on it. When I decided to do this project, I purposefully opted to wait and not practice, so that my first week and first spin would truly be my first.

Years ago I learned a nifty thing from Kate Bingamam-Burt called ‘Automated Directives’. You can find more info here, but the gist is to set up a sort of rule system to give some direction to your creativity. It’s something many of us already do in lots of ways, but I found the more rigid system helpful when I really want to learn and reflect my creativity in a specific task…in this case spinning. So I set up my guidelines and here they are…

-Each week, for the next 52 weeks, I will spin a different breed of sheep wool or fiber
-I will learn a bit of the story behind each fiber and share here on the blog. This includes the farm it came from and any other details I can share, such as photos.
-I will share my learnings from spinning and handling each specific fiber, as well as my learnings of spinning in and of itself.
-Each week’s wool, after spinning, will be knit into a swatch, and once all 52 weeks are complete, I will join all the swatches to create a blanket. I am SO excited about that part.

And my goals…

-Learn to spin. This goes without saying, but there’s so much I don’t know with hands on experience. I plan to learn a lot.
-Become a skilled spinner. Improve drafting, tension, speed, plying, etc.
-Experience as many different types of sheep breeds as possible, familiarizing myself with the different wools and their qualities.
-Improve my processing of wool. Some fiber I’ve received is neither washed or carded. My own fiber from my sheep is still unwashed or carded…so I’m looking forward to getting better at this and improving my efficiency.
-Share these wools and fibers stories with all of you, spreading the love for small farm yarns and celebrating the hard work of these farmers.
-Finish the project. I’ve got a lot on my plate these days and I really hesitated for awhile as to whether this was something I wanted to take on. But with some encouragement from David, I dove in and my greatest hope is that I’m able to keep up and finish the project and knit the blanket from these wools/fibers. I do however believe in grace, so if this project takes me a few extra weeks come the end of the year, so be it.

Lastly…I’m still looking for more wool breeds for this project. If you are a farmer/rancher or a fiber folk who knows a fiber farmer/rancher and would like to be a part of this project by sending me a small amount of wool to spin, I’d love to have you and hear your story! Send me an email at hello@woolful.com

Ok, I think that’s it for now. If you’re on Instagram you may of seen my photo this morning of my first week’s wool. I’ll share more on that specific wool and it’s farm, so stay tuned.

Sponsor: Fancy Tiger Crafts is a special yarn, fabric and notions shop based out of Denver Colorado. This inspired place is owned and operated by self proclaimed fiber nerds, Jaime Jennings and Amber Corcoran…two women who’s hope and journey have allowed them to share their knowledge, adventures and passion in fiber, and this is reflected in their beautiful shop as well as their endeavors in creating their own farm yarn Heirloom. Fancy Tiger Crafts is one of my favorite places to shop online for fabric, patterns and yarn, and I recently attended one of their craft nights and it’s even better in person. I’ve just began cutting out the Fen pattern and excited about their #fancykal that just started which you can find more info about on their blog. And make sure to mark your calendars for January 21st, where Fancy Tiger is hosting Superstar Knit Night with guests Laura Nelkin, Romi Hill, Miriam Felton, Jill Draper, Anne Weil and Lorilee Beltman. Grab your project and come hang out with knit with all these amazing fiber folk. Make sure to visit Fancy Tiger Crafts in person and online at fancytigercrafts.com and on Instagram @fancytigercrafts.

Fiber folk: You know I love yarn with a story. There are so many facets of these stories…where it came from, who raised the fiber animals, who spun the yarn, dyed it, designs with it and so on. But what makes a yarn story even more exciting and the knit more satisfying, is the impact these yarns have. Angie Lenoir and Stephanie Stotts are two friends who created a fiber company which grew into focusing on creating yarns with a story and a mission. You can find Angie and Stephanie at kismetfiberworks.com and on Instagram @kismetfiberworks.

On January 15-17th Kismet Fiber Works will be at Vogue Knitting Live in New York City at the Yarn Culture booth #713. And a special surprise, several of the Tajik women who spin the Pamiri yarn will be flying from their home in Tajikistan to New York City to attend Vogue Knitting and meet those who attend the event. I would encourage anyone who is near NYC or plans to visit, to stop by on Sunday from 10-2 and welcome them and to show your love and support of what they’re doing.

Sponsor: Feel Good Yarn Co, the creator of SilverSpun yarn. This incredible cotton and silver blend yarn is produced using only American sourced fibers and is spun by the folks at North Carolina State University. Aside from it’s beautiful texture and stitch definition, SilverSpun yarn has some pretty amazing therapeutic and thermal properties because of it’s unique silver content, which you can hear more about in episode 33. They’ve introduced two new products, a colored version of their flagship product, the sport weight SilverSpun yarn and a new fingering weight version of the SilverSpun…perfect for socks, shawls and other knits. I recently knit Gudrun Johnston’s Hermaness hat in the SilverSpun and am in love with the soft and sturdy fabric. Make sure to visit feelgoodyarnco.com for more information and to buy this very special yarn.

Woolful Knit-a-long: And if you’ve seen the latest issue of Taproot, Shelter, then you know of the most recent pattern from Carrie Bostick Hoge, the Portland Pullover, designed in Brooklyn Tweed’s Shelter yarn. I’m in love with the elegant yoke of this design, and it’s neckline. So much so that I started the next Woolful knit along featuring the Portland Pullover. I’ve just received my yarn and began swatching. You can find more details here. And if you don’t already subscribe to Taproot, visit taprootmag.com to subscribe or grab the latest issue Shelter which is where you can find this pattern.

Giveaway: The winner of last week’s giveaway is Jenifer, you’ve won a 2 year subscription to Taproot magazine. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Kismet Fiber Works and they’re giving away a skein of their Pamiri Cashgora yarn. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment on today’s episode’s blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-45-angie-lenoir-and-stephanie-stotts-family-farms-friendship-yarn-stories-and-kismet-fiber-works/feed/95Sponsor: Fancy Tiger Crafts is a special yarn, fabric and notions shop based out of Denver Colorado. This inspired place is owned and operated by self proclaimed fiber nerds, Jaime Jennings and Amber Corcoran…two women who’s hope and journey have allo...
Sponsor: Fancy Tiger Crafts is a special yarn, fabric and notions shop based out of Denver Colorado. This inspired place is owned and operated by self proclaimed fiber nerds, Jaime Jennings and Amber Corcoran…two women who’s hope and journey have allowed them to share their knowledge, adventures and passion in fiber, and this is reflected in their beautiful shop as well as their endeavors in creating their own farm yarn Heirloom. Fancy Tiger Crafts is one of my favorite places to shop online for fabric, patterns and yarn, and I recently attended one of their craft nights and it’s even better in person. I’ve just began cutting out the Fen pattern and excited about their #fancykal that just started which you can find more info about on their blog. And make sure to mark your calendars for January 21st, where Fancy Tiger is hosting Superstar Knit Night with guests Laura Nelkin, Romi Hill, Miriam Felton, Jill Draper, Anne Weil and Lorilee Beltman. Grab your project and come hang out with knit with all these amazing fiber folk. Make sure to visit Fancy Tiger Crafts in person and online at fancytigercrafts.com and on Instagram @fancytigercrafts.

Fiber folk: You know I love yarn with a story. There are so many facets of these stories…where it came from, who raised the fiber animals, who spun the yarn, dyed it, designs with it and so on. But what makes a yarn story even more exciting and the knit more satisfying, is the impact these yarns have. Angie Lenoir and Stephanie Stotts are two friends who created a fiber company which grew into focusing on creating yarns with a story and a mission. You can find Angie and Stephanie at kismetfiberworks.com and on Instagram @kismetfiberworks.
On January 15-17th Kismet Fiber Works will be at Vogue Knitting Live in New York City at the Yarn Culture booth #713. And a special surprise, several of the Tajik women who spin the Pamiri yarn will be flying from their home in Tajikistan to New York City to attend Vogue Knitting and meet those who attend the event. I would encourage anyone who is near NYC or plans to visit, to stop by on Sunday from 10-2 and welcome them and to show your love and support of what they’re doing.

Sponsor: Feel Good Yarn Co, the creator of SilverSpun yarn. This incredible cotton and silver blend yarn is produced using only American sourced fibers and is spun by the folks at North Carolina State University. Aside from it’s beautiful texture and stitch definition, SilverSpun yarn has some pretty amazing therapeutic and thermal properties because of it’s unique silver content, which you can hear more about in episode 33. They’ve introduced two new products, a colored version of their flagship product,]]>Making 46:06
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4040Woolful Knitalong: The Portland Pulloverhttp://woolful.com/woolful-kal-the-portland-pullover/
http://woolful.com/woolful-kal-the-portland-pullover/#commentsFri, 01 Jan 2016 08:00:18 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=4015Today marks the beginning of the latest Woolful KAL, although if you’re like me you don’t even have your yarn yet. So I’ll be swatching with some leftover Brooklyn Tweed Shelter and getting ready to cast on the moment my yarn arrives.

When I first got the latest issue of Taproot, aptly named ‘Shelter’, I wasn’t totally sure how I felt about the Portland Pullover. I’ve recently made the discovery that I prefer set-in sleeves far more than raglan shaping because of its fit and I had made a momentary mental note to ‘only knit set-in sleeves’ from here on out…until I realized how silly that is. So when I picked up the issue and flipped through it again, I lingered on the pullover pattern a bit longer, admiring it’s neck shaping and simple silhouette. Ok. Done. I’m in. I realized then how great it would be to knit my first sweater started in the new year with friends…so, here we go.

What: Portland Pullover by Carrie Bostick Hoge. You can find this pattern in the most recent issue of Taproot, Shelter. Go grab a copy or subscription if you haven’t already!When: January 1st-ish through March 31st 2016.With: Brooklyn Tweed Shelter OR your preferred worsted weight yarn (stash busting time?)
You can find Brooklyn Tweed at some of our friends shops in person and/or online…

And for those that join along, make sure to post photos of WIPs and finished projects on Instagram or on the Knitalong Ravelry page so we can all follow along. Use hashtag #woolfulKAL and after March 31st I’ll announce the lucky random folks who won the gifts. I’m still working to finalize all the gifts, but they will include a Taproot subscription, some Brooklyn Tweed goodness, a copy of Carrie Bostick Hoge’s newest book Swoon Maine and more.

Woolful started as a blog, and it began as a very personal place. A place for me to share my love of fiber, but also to share our journey, my journey, however it touched our lives and wherever it took us…in the hopes it would encourage, inspire and help inform. In many ways it has done that, especially with the podcast, however with the podcast I intentionally do my best to focus on the guests and less on me. And while it has/is great fun, it hasn’t gone unnoticed by me that this blog’s focus has become very much the podcast and less about personal journey and things we’re learning and going through. So, that’s a long winded way of saying that I want to keep myself accountable to my initial reasons for starting this blog and dedicate more time to sharing where we’re at and what’s going on. So all the folks that come here for the podcast might be surprised by some of these posts because they will be very much intertwined with Woolful…and that’s because ALL of this is Woolful.

As many of you know, in 2014 we bought a ranch in North Idaho. At the time we were living in San Francisco for my work, having moved from Seattle where we’re both originally from. We had moved to SF for a great opportunity and while it all seemed to make sense, it didn’t take long (a few weeks) to realize it was not our home nor our place. We spent the following two years discovering new things about ourselves…our interest in farming, fiber, self-sustainability and we were surprised to find a lot of that in the Bay Area and meet some incredible people who encouraged us as we began realizing our dreams of buying property and doing something awesome with it. I’m really not sure how everything fell into place like it did, I guess you could call it providence, but last year we were able to buy our ranch, along with my parents who we split this amazing place with. As you can imagine, since that time it became increasingly more difficult to balance these two lives…the Idaho farming life and my career driven SF life, but manage it we did for a little over a year. We continued to focus on gaining more skills, learning as much as we could and preparing a place and a life for us here (Idaho).

You can’t really prepare for life though. In April this year, while on one of our trips to the ranch I had a late miscarriage. It’s a strange thing to talk about and I still feel uncomfortable sharing, however I’ve learned some about grieving and I see many women through an entirely new lens…a much softer lens. You don’t know what someone is/has gone through and grace is key. This is all so very fresh in our lives and something we’re processing each day.

Through my own experience I had a new realization of what my values were and the next few months were spent in deep conversation and prayer as David and I began to feel it was time for us to make our move to the ranch permanent. But as with many big decisions, we put it off and kept telling ourselves that financial security was most important…and although it is important, it’s not the only factor and definitely not the most important one. We did however begin to figure out our living situation, where we would live when we did make the move. We have grand plans of building a stone masonry home on the property, but we know that will be a ways off, especially since we plan to build it ourselves. We had given the existing house on the property to my parents who moved here soon after we bought the ranch, so where were we going to live?

This past Summer, we bought a yurt. Again by only what I can call providence, we found an incredible deal on Craigslist for a yurt that just happened to be 2.5hrs from us. It was around this time that I found out I was pregnant again. Happy, so nervous, but hopeful. Unfortunately a few weeks later I miscarried again and while it was far less physically traumatic, it changes you. It was through this and several other things that happened over the course of the Summer that we realized it was time for us to make the move. I remember one night sitting on the floor of our apartment in SF and feeling this complete peace about the decision. I hadn’t yet talked to my boss at work, but I knew somehow it would all work out one way or another, either how we hoped it would or in another way completely. So I went in that following Monday and sat down with my boss and told him that we were moving and asked if he’d allow me to work remotely. We agreed to give it a go and so far it’s been pretty great. I travel to SF once a month to spend time with the team and be present. It’s been a bit of deja vu back to a previous life where I traveled frequently for work, funny how life goes in circles sometimes. And it’s also been revealing of how much I’ve changed since that time. I have major workaholic tendencies, something I try very much on a daily level to maintain, and with the recent launch of our product and new routine of working remotely, I’m struggling with this work life balance, but learning everyday how to adjust and maintain.

So we’re here at the ranch now and it’s more than we could ever imagine. David’s been working day and night to get the yurt platform built and yurt comfortable. We’re on the final stretch of installing the wool insulation (yes, wool! More to come on that. ). We picked out a gorgeous spot nestled in a small pasture surrounded by cedars, birch and tamaracks, with a beautiful view of the Western pasture. I can’t wait to sit in front of the window next to the fire, knit and watch the snow fall on the pasture…that will be a dream come true. We did have a slight setback with the yurt platform setup, which we plan on doing an extensive post about to help others who may be building a yurt in cold climates. We spent our first night in the yurt last week and while it’s pretty cold still, we’re happy as can be…clad in wool from head to toe.

And have I mentioned firewood? Holy smokes..literally. Thankfully we have a splitter so that is helping things drastically, but there is A LOT of splitting we still need to do for this Winter and next Winter in order to allow the wood to season. With two stoves on the property that will be run full time during the cold weather, it’s a lot of wood. One really cool thing we found while exploring the property is many seemingly random firewood stacks. It would appear that when a tree fell, the previous owners back in the 60s and 70s would cut and stack the rounds under a cluster of trees, and surprisingly much of it is still good.

As for the animals, those too have been a great learning experience. We learned this past Summer that our ewes were indeed not pregnant, but just getting woolier and maybe a tad fat. So they were on a diet and we hope they will lamb this coming Spring. Which brings us to the newest addition to the farm, a ram! We welcomed Henry a couple months back and he’s figuring out what his job is. Our plan is to steadily grow our flock and I’ve been speaking to some local women who milk their Icelandics…oh man, don’t even get me started. We also recently welcomed our Dexter dairy cow Lulu and 6 Alpacas to the farm…Mary, Martha, Madge, Margaret, Millicent and Mabel. In the Spring we be adding hogs to the farm, we can’t wait to pick them up!

Most days I drive into town and work from a little space I found and my mom and David split taking care of Coltrane. During the days I work from the ranch, it’s pretty great to share lunch or snacks with my little guy, something I’ve missed so much and every now and then I sneak in to put him down for his nap which is even more wonderful.

I’m learning to get back to taking care of myself with intention. Taking time that’s needed for whatever the task is at hand. Learning more of what I value most and how I can set a better example of pursuing these values. I’m excited to explore Woolful more and see what the podcast has in store this next year. I can’t wait to take an herbal course and to make more. To start our homeschool journey. And, I’m looking forward to being present for all the seasons here on the ranch…becoming a more experienced farmer and welcoming all sorts of new critters to our ranch.

There’s so much more to share, about the mill, other exciting plans, yurt ‘stuff’ and some farm lessons we’ve recently learned…and I’m looking forward to sharing more of this, more often this next year with you.

I am so thankful and grateful for this year and all that it has held and for what it’s taught me about myself. All the parts of my life, being a wife, a mother, a career woman, a podcaster, a burgeoning farmer and homesteader, a daughter and a sister…they’ve all come together somehow and for that I’m a bit in awe, but so very grateful…to so many for their grace, encouragement and guidance, but most of all to my Father in Heaven.

Sponsor: Taproot Magazine, is a quarterly print magazine full of delightful stories and photos written by and for people living fuller and digging deeper. Each issue is created around a subtle theme, featuring amazing recipes, crafts, and tales, all with the intention of inspiring people who are interested in deepening their connections to their families, communities, and themselves as they strive to live locally and closer to the ground. The content in each issue consistently blows me away. It is fulfilling and inspiring. I was thrilled to find that the most recent issue Shelter had a yurt on the cover, being that we just finished building our own yurt. This morning I laid in bed after having spent our first night in the yurt, reading this issue and soaking up all it’s goodness…for the head, heart and hands. You can visit Taproot Magazine online at Taprootmag.com and on Instagram @taprootmag.

Fiber folk: Like many of you, I’m a lover and supporter of Quince and Co yarns and all that goes into bringing this amazing brand to our fingertips. But many of you might not know the man behind the scenes. Ryan Fitzgerald is an integral part of what Quince and Co is today, working alongside his mother Pam and their incredible team to provide some of the most compelling pattern and yarn collections. His journey is a unique one, from environmental and political studies to architecture and then finding himself increasingly invested in Quince and Co. You can find Ryan at quinceandco.com

Sponsor: I want to thank Taproot Magazine again for sponsoring this week’s episode. Right now Taproot has a special holiday pop up shop featuring goods from some of our favorite makers. From wooden bowls and planters to screen printed and paper goods. I highly recommend taking a look at taprootmag.com and helping support all these amazing makers and Taproot who has brought them all together.

Woolful Knit-a-long: And if you’ve seen the latest issue of Taproot, Shelter, then you know of the most recent pattern from Carrie Bostick Hoge, the Portland Pullover, designed in Brooklyn Tweed’s Shelter yarn. I’m in love with the elegant yoke of this design, and it’s neckline. So much so that starting January 1st I’ll be hosting the next Woolful knit along featuring the Portland Pullover. I’ve ordered my yarn today and I hope you’ll join me in the New Year, rewarding yourself with some selfish knitting after the holidays. I’ll share more on the blog in the coming week. And if you don’t already subscribe to Taproot, visit taprootmag.com to subscribe or grab the latest issue Shelter which is where you can find this pattern.

52 Weeks of Wool: I have an exciting new project starting in January, 52 weeks of wool. Each week I’ll be hand spinning a new wool breed from a fiber flock from here in the US or abroad, and sharing my experience through photos, on the podcast and in a blog post. My goal for this project is to handle as many different types of wool as possible, and share a bit about each farm and flock that the wool comes from, helping bring light to many sheep breeds and producers. If you have a flock, fiber farm or know someone who does, I hope you’ll consider joining me on this project by sending me a small tuft of fleece to spin. If you’re interested, shoot me an email at hello@woolful.com.

Update: And for those of you who listened to last week’s episode, you know that we are in the process of insulating our yurt with wool insulation from Montana Green Insulation, which happens to be last week’s guest. The 500 + lbs just arrived and we’re gearing up to spend some long days under the yurt insulating the flooring. We’ll eventually also add a second layer of insulation to the walls, but for now insulating the flooring will help us the most. Stay tuned as we share more of our process and the results.

Giveaway:The winner of last week’s giveaway is, Lissa Zambo. You’ve won the most recent issue of Taproot magazine and two gorgeous skeins of handspun Polwarth, mohair and silk yarn and the Groh shawl pattern from Boho Chic Fiber Co. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Taproot Magazine and they’re giving away a two year subscription to Taproot. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment on today’s episode’s blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/3996-2/feed/106Episode 44: Ryan Fitzgerald - Political and environmental studies, architecture, family business and Quince and Co.Like many of you, I’m a lover and supporter of Quince and Co yarns and all that goes into bringing this amazing brand to our fingertips. But many of you might not know the man behind the scenes. Ryan Fitzgerald is an integral part of what Quince and Co is today, working alongside his mother Pam and their incredible team to provide some of the most compelling pattern and yarn collections. His journey is a unique one, from environmental and political studies to architecture and then finding himself increasingly invested in Quince and Co. You can find Ryan at quinceandco.comMaking 35:59
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3996Episode 43: Thayne Mackey – Montana, wool insulation, bulletproof wool, and Brookside Woolen Millhttp://woolful.com/episode-43-thayne-mackey-montana-wool-insulation-bulletproof-wool-brookside-woolen-mill/
http://woolful.com/episode-43-thayne-mackey-montana-wool-insulation-bulletproof-wool-brookside-woolen-mill/#commentsTue, 08 Dec 2015 22:12:10 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3974

Sponsor: Brooklyn General Store was created in 2002 and is owned and operated by Catherine Clark. Tucked away on a sweet block West of the Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill neighborhoods, Brooklyn General Store is the enchanting fiber and textile emporium we all dream of. Dreams full of wooly goodness, yards and yards of fabric, felt, dyes, patterns, tools, and handmade gifts. A little old and a little new…a classic general store for the maker who loves to make their own everything. With a charming studio, the shop hosts a variety of wonderful classes taught by special folks including Cal Patch, Nguyen Le, Heather Love and many more. With it’s floor to ceiling shelves, old rolling ladders, and old wood floors, it feels as though you’ve stepped into a wooly wonderland…I so wish I lived closer and could adopt this shop as my own lys, but thankfully they have an online shop filled to the brim with all of their fiber and sewing goods and gifts. So if you’re in the Brooklyn area or just passing through, visit Brooklyn General Store in person and find them online at brooklyngeneral.com

Fiber folk: We’re all very familiar with the wool in the fiber arts, but something that’s far less known is it’s use in building materials, including insulation. What’s extra neat about wool insulation is that it often times uses wool that would be of little or no value in the yarn world and therefore making the best use out of this fiber we love so much. Thayne Mackey and his family are doing something pretty wonderful at Montana Green Insulation and I’m excited for you to hear more. You can find Thayne at montanagreeninsulation.com and on Facebook as Brookside Woolen Mill.

Sponsor: Montana Green Insulation is located in Malta, Montana and is a family run operation, by today’s guest Thayne Mackey, his wife and two children. In 2009 Thayne and his family downsized their farm and started Brookside Woolen Mill where they create their wool insulation product. They run an organic wool processing operation, with high efficiency heating systems, solar water heaters, recycling and settling ponds for waste water, bio-degradable soaps and eco-friendly disposal systems for the vegetable wastes produced by sheep. Their woolen products include Montana Green Sheep Wool Insulation, Reclamation and Revegetation Mats, and Bio-wix wattles and booms for petroleum spills on land and in water. We’re using the wool insulation for our yurt platform and decided to do so because of the incredible properties of wool insulation and it’s R-value. I hope you’ll consider learning more about wool insulation and using it for your next building project. Find Montana Green Insulation at montanagreeninsulation.com.

Update: As many of you know, we recently moved from San Francisco to our ranch in North Idaho where we’re in the final stages of building our yurt home. Over the past couple of years we’ve been doing a lot of research on what materials we wanted to use for various parts of the process, specifically insulation. Because of our northern climate, extra insulation is a must. There are lots of insulation options, but of course our heart was set on using wool insulation after learning more about it’s obvious benefits and R-Value. After reaching out and learning about Thayne Mackey’s operation at Montana Green Insulation we decided on 500lbs of loose fill insulation which we’ll be using in our platform flooring. The delivery is set to arrive early next week and we’ll be posting lots of photos and info on this process as it’s new to us and there really isn’t a whole lot of information out there on on installation. So stay tuned, we’re super excited to get our floor insulated and move in!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Taproot Magazine and Boho Chic Fiber Co and they’re giving away the most recent issue of Taproot, Shelter and two gorgeous skeins of handspun Polwarth and Mohair and Silk fingering yarn along with Annie Lupton’s Groh Shawl pattern. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment on today’s episode’s blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-43-thayne-mackey-montana-wool-insulation-bulletproof-wool-brookside-woolen-mill/feed/105Episode 43: Thayne Mackey - Montana, wool insulation, bulletproof wool, and Brookside Woolen MillWe’re all very familiar with the wool in the fiber arts, but something that’s far less known is it’s use in building materials, including insulation. What’s extra neat about wool insulation is that it often times uses wool that would be of little or no value in the yarn world and therefore making the best use out of this fiber we love so much. Thayne Mackey and his family are doing something pretty wonderful at Montana Green Insulation and I’m excited for you to hear more. You can find Thayne at montanagreeninsulation.com and on Facebook as Brookside Woolen MillMaking 39:25
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3974Episode 42: Tif Fussell – Aunties, holistic healing, following fiber, and Dottie Angelhttp://woolful.com/episode-42-tif-fussell-aunties-holistic-healing-following-fiber-and-dottie-angel/
http://woolful.com/episode-42-tif-fussell-aunties-holistic-healing-following-fiber-and-dottie-angel/#commentsWed, 25 Nov 2015 20:08:31 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3952

Sponsor: In 2013, Anna Dianich opened Tolt Yarn and Wool. a local yarn shop in the beautiful Pacific Northwest town of Carnation, Washington. A couple weeks back we celebrated Tolt’s second anniversary, with the release of a very special book, Farm to Needle: Stories of Wool. When we pick up our needles and cast-on the first stitch, we become part of something much bigger than the project at hand. Farmers, shearers, spinners and dyers are working hard not only to produce the yarn we love, but to preserve a way of life that is at real risk of being lost. Farm to Needle invites you to join a journey; to peek behind the scenes of some of our favorite producers and gain a deeper understanding of the people, places, and animals at work. Discover Aspen Hollow Farm, Green Mountain Spinnery, Imperial Stock Ranch, Thirteen Mile Farm, YOTH, Saco River Dye House, and Twirl through patterns by Dianna Walla, Tif Fussell, Veronika Jobe, Karen Templer, Andrea Rangel, Annie Rowden and myself. This book was beautifully captured by a hardworking team, lead by Anna and Kathy Cadigan. You can find Farm to Needle at toltyarnandwool.com

Fiber folk: Today marks the 1yr birthday of the Woolful podcast, and you can only celebrate such things with angels, like today’s guest Tif Fussell or as many of you know her, Dottie Angel. Every single one of the past 42 episodes have been so important to me, however today’s holds special meaning. For any of you who know Tif, you know the treasure she is. Her story goes beyond fiber or textiles, motherhood or marriage…it’s a story of a woman finding her strength and healing, and her creative journey. You can find Tif in her Pacific Northwest mossy shed and on Instagram @dottieangel.

Sponsor: I just want to take a moment to say thank you again to Tolt Yarn and Wool, today’s episode sponsor. I hope you take some time to get to know Tolt better. If you’ve had the privilege of visiting Tolt in person, you know how truly amazing this place is. It’s evident the heart and soul Anna and her incredible team put into creating an experience that feels like home with your fiber family. What a special place to have in this fiber community of ours. Make sure to visit Tolt in Carnation and online at Toltyarnandwool.com for a very special collection of fibers, notion and books.

52 Weeks of Wool: I have an exciting new project starting in January, 52 weeks of wool. Each week I’ll be hand spinning a new wool breed from a fiber flock from here in the US or abroad, and sharing my experience through photos, on the podcast and in a blog post. My goal for this project is to handle as many different types of wool as possible, and share a bit about each farm and flock that the wool comes from, helping bring light to many sheep breeds and producers. If you have a flock, fiber farm or know someone who does, I hope you’ll consider joining me on this project by sending me a small tuft of fleece to spin. If you’re interested, shoot me an email at hello@woolful.com.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-42-tif-fussell-aunties-holistic-healing-following-fiber-and-dottie-angel/feed/133Episode 42: Tif Fussell - Aunties, holistic healing, following fiber, and Dottie AngelToday marks the 1yr birthday of the Woolful podcast, and you can only celebrate such things with angels, like today’s guest Tif Fussell or as many of you know her, Dottie Angel. Every single one of the past 42 episodes have been so important to me, however today’s holds special meaning. For any of you who know Tif, you know the treasure she is. Her story goes beyond fiber or textiles, motherhood or marriage…it’s a story of a woman finding her strength and healing, and her creative journey. You can find Tif in her Pacific Northwest mossy shed and on Instagram @dottieangel.Making 80:20
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3952Episode 41: David Ritchie, Claire Wilson, Libby Mills and Kate Salomon – Study groups, building a New England fiber mill, growth of a fiber family and Green Mountain Spinneryhttp://woolful.com/episode-41-david-ritchie-claire-wilson-libby-mills-and-kate-salomon-study-groups-building-a-new-england-fiber-mill-growth-of-a-fiber-family-and-green-mountain-spinnery/
http://woolful.com/episode-41-david-ritchie-claire-wilson-libby-mills-and-kate-salomon-study-groups-building-a-new-england-fiber-mill-growth-of-a-fiber-family-and-green-mountain-spinnery/#commentsTue, 17 Nov 2015 20:52:51 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3934

Sponsor: Ewetopia is a local yarn shop in rural Viroqua, WI, carrying a beautiful selection of yarns and fibers, including their very own line of hand dyed yarns. One of my favorite things about Ewetopia is it’s generational foundation, the shop was started by Kathryn Ashley-Wright and later her mother Lisa Ashley joined her as partner in the business. Along with Kathryn’s grandmother Gloria and her daughters Stella and Mae…you’ll sometimes find all four generations busy around the shop…what a special thing to have. In addition to the Ewetopia shop and yarn brand, Kathryn and her family have a farm in southwestern Wisconsin where they grow certified organic hay and rotationally graze their flock of 50 ewes…comprised of Corriedale, Border Leicester and Merino crosses, which contribute to their Ewetopia yarn and fiber line. If you’re in the Viroqua area or just passing through, make sure to visit them in person. You can find a selection of Ewetopia yarns and fibers, and more info on the shop and farm online at ewetopiafibershop.com. And find them on Instagram @ewetopiayarn.

Fiber folk: To me, Green Mountain Spinnery is one of the staples of the fiber industry, and has been since founded in 1981 by David Ritchie, Libby Mills, Claire Wilson and Diana Wahle. I first learned about the spinnery through my friend Annie, who is a huge advocate of their yarns. Then all of the sudden I kept hearing about the everywhere…that’s how it goes yeah? haha. The more I learned, the more I loved. From their humble hardworking beginnings, to creating an organic yarn, their formation of a coop and their overall beautiful influence within this fiber community…I’ve met few others in this industry with such a rich history and gratitude for what wool has brought them. Today you get to hear a bit of that history and hear that richness in their stories, as David, Libby, Claire and Kate tell the Green Mountain Spinnery story. You can find Green Mountain Spinnery at spinnery.com and on Instagram @greenmtnspinnery.

Sponsor: In 2013, Anna Dianich opened Tolt Yarn and Wool. a local yarn shop in the beautiful Pacific Northwest town of Carnation, Washington. A couple weeks back we celebrated Tolt’s second anniversary, with the release of a very special book, Farm to Needle: Stories of Wool. When we pick up our needles and cast-on the first stitch, we become part of something much bigger than the project at hand. Farmers, shearers, spinners and dyers are working hard not only to produce the yarn we love, but to preserve a way of life that is at real risk of being lost. Farm to Needle invites you to join a journey; to peek behind the scenes of some of our favorite producers and gain a deeper understanding of the people, places, and animals at work. Discover Aspen Hollow Farm, Green Mountain Spinnery, Imperial Stock Ranch, Thirteen Mile Farm, YOTH, Saco River Dye House, and Twirl through patterns by Dianna Walla, Tif Fussell, Veronika Jobe, Karen Templer, Andrea Rangel, Annie Rowden and myself. This book was beautifully captured by a hardworking team, lead by Anna and Kathy Cadigan. You can find Farm to Needle at toltyarnandwool.com

And if you’ve had the privilege of visiting Tolt in person, you know how truly amazing this place is. It’s evident the heart and soul Anna and her incredible team put into creating an experience that feels like home with your fiber family. What a special place to have in this fiber community of ours. Make sure to visit Tolt in Carnation and online at toltyarnandwool.com for a very special collection of fibers, notion and books.

Giveaway: The winner of last week’s giveaways are, Margaret – you’ve won two skeins of Quince and Co Osprey yarn in Caspian from Cream City Yarn, and Yasmin – you’ve won Loop London’s new book, 10. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway’s are sponsored by Tolt Yarn and Wool – who’s giving away a copy of their new book, Farm to Needle and Green Mountain Spinnery – who’s giving away two skeins of their Vermont Organic worsted yarn, made from Tunis/Dorset wool. To be one of the winners of this week’s giveaways, leave a comment this blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-41-david-ritchie-claire-wilson-libby-mills-and-kate-salomon-study-groups-building-a-new-england-fiber-mill-growth-of-a-fiber-family-and-green-mountain-spinnery/feed/102Sponsor: Ewetopia is a local yarn shop in rural Viroqua, WI, carrying a beautiful selection of yarns and fibers, including their very own line of hand dyed yarns. One of my favorite things about Ewetopia is it’s generational foundation,
Sponsor: Ewetopia is a local yarn shop in rural Viroqua, WI, carrying a beautiful selection of yarns and fibers, including their very own line of hand dyed yarns. One of my favorite things about Ewetopia is it’s generational foundation, the shop was started by Kathryn Ashley-Wright and later her mother Lisa Ashley joined her as partner in the business. Along with Kathryn’s grandmother Gloria and her daughters Stella and Mae…you’ll sometimes find all four generations busy around the shop…what a special thing to have. In addition to the Ewetopia shop and yarn brand, Kathryn and her family have a farm in southwestern Wisconsin where they grow certified organic hay and rotationally graze their flock of 50 ewes…comprised of Corriedale, Border Leicester and Merino crosses, which contribute to their Ewetopia yarn and fiber line. If you’re in the Viroqua area or just passing through, make sure to visit them in person. You can find a selection of Ewetopia yarns and fibers, and more info on the shop and farm online at ewetopiafibershop.com. And find them on Instagram @ewetopiayarn.
Fiber folk: To me, Green Mountain Spinnery is one of the staples of the fiber industry, and has been since founded in 1981 by David Ritchie, Libby Mills, Claire Wilson and Diana Wahle. I first learned about the spinnery through my friend Annie, who is a huge advocate of their yarns. Then all of the sudden I kept hearing about the everywhere…that’s how it goes yeah? haha. The more I learned, the more I loved. From their humble hardworking beginnings, to creating an organic yarn, their formation of a coop and their overall beautiful influence within this fiber community…I’ve met few others in this industry with such a rich history and gratitude for what wool has brought them. Today you get to hear a bit of that history and hear that richness in their stories, as David, Libby, Claire and Kate tell the Green Mountain Spinnery story. You can find Green Mountain Spinnery at spinnery.com and on Instagram @greenmtnspinnery.
Photos by Kathy Cadigan, Green Mountain Spinnery and Megan MacDonald
Sponsor: In 2013, Anna Dianich opened Tolt Yarn and Wool. a local yarn shop in the beautiful Pacific Northwest town of Carnation, Washington. A couple weeks back we celebrated Tolt’s second anniversary, with the release of a very special book, Farm to Needle: Stories of Wool. When we pick up our needles and cast-on the first stitch,]]>Making 60:17
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3934Episode 40: Pam Allen – Motherhood, Nursing School, Coastal Maine, and Quince and Cohttp://woolful.com/episode-40-pam-allen-motherhood-nursing-school-coastal-maine-and-quince-and-co/
http://woolful.com/episode-40-pam-allen-motherhood-nursing-school-coastal-maine-and-quince-and-co/#commentsTue, 10 Nov 2015 22:26:31 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3913

Sponsor: Loop is London’s leading local yarn shop, created by Susan Cropper in 2005, with the intention to bring the joy of colour, texture and design to the local fibre community. The shop itself is a warm, friendly place…full of inspiration and charisma, and you can see the care Susan has taken to create an inviting environment where folks can find the yarns they love and learn from the masters of their crafts…including Juju Vail, Jane Lithgow, Stephen West, Helene Magnusson, and Melanie Berg to name just a few.

This Fall Loop celebrated their 10th anniversary, and to celebrate they released their newest book aptly named, ’10’…featuring twelve gorgeous patterns from designers Meghan Fernandes, Stephen West, Rachel Atkinson, Paulina Popiolek, Donna Higgins, Kristen Kapur, Ysolha Teague, Juju Vail, Tif Fussell, Claire Montgomerie and today’s guest, Pam Allen. I’m a big fan of Susan’s eye for composition, with each pattern being beautifully photographed and knit in a color dyed just for Loop. The Meandering Shawl by Stephen West is on my list to make this Winter. You can find the book at Loop, their shop online and at a handful of lovely local yarn shops.

Loop has an extensive online shop in addition to their cozy London shop in Islington. Make sure to visit Loop in person if you’re nearby or just passing through, and online at loopknitting.com and on Instagram @looplondonloves.

Fiber folk: There are a handful of special soul’s in this fiber industry, that have laid the groundwork and forged paths for what it is today and what it will become…having been a great influence on so many fiber folks. Pam Allen is one of these people.

From motherhood and design, nursing school to Interweave knits, Classic Elite and now Quince and Co…Pam’s fiber journey is an inspiring one. When I first began talking with Pam, she started out by telling me that what she hoped to share was her personal journey…and honestly, that’s exactly what I hoped she would say.

You can find Pam in her Coastal Maine home, making and designing, or in the mountains on a hike. You can find her company Quince and Co online at quinceandco.com and on Instagram @quinceandco.

Sponsor:6 Bits Storybooks, a digital quarterly publication for knitters who love to immerse themselves deeply in their knitting experience…from the mouths of story tellers: knitters, photographers, writers, designers, friends & nature. These storybooks incorporate designs, imagery, location, words, learning and tools to create an deeply engaging experience, taking readers on a journey. 6 Bits was created by two incredibly passionate and inspiring folks within this community, Melissa and Melody, and this past month they released the first issue Unearth of this beautiful digital editorial magazine, featuring articles from international knitters and dyers, where you hear the ‘whole’ story behind the designs and modeled in beautiful environment tied to the issues theme. Visit 6 Bits Storybooks at 6bitsstorybooks.com to subscribe to this stunning new publication and follow along on Instagram @6bitsstorybooks.

And this past week 6 Bits launched their first Knit A Long, an opportunity to join in and knit a project from the first issue, Unearth. This time of year there are so many thing happening, our attention and time have many demands that may keep us from finishing projects, but don’t let that deter you from joining…embrace it as a starting point! So grab your issue of Unearth or find the patterns on Ravelry and start soon and simply be proud of what you do knit!

This week’s giveaway’s are sponsored by Cream City Yarns and Loop London. Cream City Yarns is giving away two skeins of Quince and Co Osprey yarn in Caspian and Loop London is giving away a copy of their newest book ’10’. To be one of the winners of this week’s giveaways, leave a comment on this blog post.

Shop Update: It’s been awhile since I’ve given a Woolful Mercantile update, but being that Fall is upon us and I’ve got a few wonderful restocked and new things in the shop, I wanted to make sure and let you all know. If you’re on Instagram you may have seen the Sheep Breed calendar I announced. This is a special collaboration between artist Emily Fratson and myself, featuring 12 beautiful sheep breeds illustrated in watercolor, alongside 12 natural dye plants. Each of these sheep were inspired by folks from the podcast or other fiber friends. There’s only a few left in the shop, but soon there will be a handful of local yarn shops carrying the calendar as well, so stay tuned.

As for yarns, I am most excited about the most recent batch of Moeke yarns, which includes two yarns that you’ll only be able to find in the Woolful shop…Heritage which is a blend of Moeke’s new Transylvanian Merino and black Elena wool AND a 100% Transylvanian Merino naturally dyed with Madder to create a beautiful coral variegated look. The founder and creator of Moeke yarns is the wonderful Ioana, which you can find more about in Ep 8. Visit woolfulmercantile.com to check out all these goodies.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-40-pam-allen-motherhood-nursing-school-coastal-maine-and-quince-and-co/feed/127Episode 40: Pam Allen - Motherhood, Nursing School, Coastal Maine, and Quince and CoThere are a handful of special soul’s in this fiber industry, that have laid the groundwork and forged paths for what it is today and what it will become…having been a great influence on so many fiber folks. Pam Allen is one of these people.<br />
<br />
From motherhood and design, nursing school to Interweave knits, Classic Elite and now Quince and Co…Pam’s fiber journey is an inspiring one. When I first began talking with Pam, she started out by telling me that what she hoped to share was her personal journey…and honestly, that’s exactly what I hoped she would say. And with that, here’s Pam…Making 66:49
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3913Episode 39: Jill Draper – Fine arts, color girl, small farm yarns, and Jill Draper Makes Stuffhttp://woolful.com/episode-39-jill-draper-fine-arts-color-girl-small-farm-yarns-and-jill-draper-makes-stuff/
http://woolful.com/episode-39-jill-draper-fine-arts-color-girl-small-farm-yarns-and-jill-draper-makes-stuff/#commentsWed, 28 Oct 2015 00:17:50 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3890

Sponsor: Ewetopia is a local yarn shop in rural Viroqua, WI, carrying a beautiful selection of yarns and fibers, including their very own line of hand dyed yarns. One of my favorite things about Ewetopia is it’s generational foundation, the shop was started by Kathryn Ashley-Wright and later her mother Lisa Wright joined her as partner in the business. Along with Kathryn’s grandmother Gloria and her daughters Stella and Mae…you’ll sometimes find all four generations busy around the shop…what a special thing to have. In addition to the Ewetopia shop and yarn brand, Kathryn and her family have a farm in southwestern Wisconsin where they grow certified organic hay and rotationally graze their flock of 50 ewes…comprised of Corriedale, Border Leicester and Merino crosses, which contribute to their Ewetopia yarn and fiber line. If you’re in the Viroqua area or just passing through, make sure to visit them in person. You can find a selection of Ewetopia yarns and fibers, and more info on the shop and farm online at ewetopiafibershop.com. And find them on Instagram @ewetopiayarn.

Fiber folk: Jill Draper is what I would call one of the OG’s of hand dyed and small farm yarns. From studying fine arts, to making decoupage vases and then finding her calling in dyeing yarn which led to creating her own bases from small flocks around the US, Jill is a gem in this industry and craft. So much of my early interest in farm yarns came from watching Jill’s journey and passion for working with traceable fibers and milling with domestic mills. Many of you may be familiar with Empire, or yarn babies as many call them…boasting 1280 of aran weight Rambouillet wool. She recently released her newest yarn Rifton, a wonderful combination of natural colored and dyed wool. You can find Jill’s incredible line of yarns at many of your favorite local yarn shops and her newest yarn Rifton in her Etsy shop Jill Draper Makes Stuff. Visit jilldraperblogs.blogspot.com to follow her adventure in yarn making and on Instagram @jillmakesstuff.

Sponsor: Fancy Tiger Crafts is a special yarn, fabric and notions shop based out of Denver Colorado. This inspired place is owned and operated by self proclaimed fiber nerds, Jaime Jennings and Amber Corcoran…two women who’s hope and journey have allowed them to share their knowledge, adventures and passion in fiber, and this is reflected in their beautiful shop as well as their endeavors in creating their own farm yarn Heirloom. Fancy Tiger Crafts is one of my favorite places to shop online for fabric, patterns and yarn, but I’m even more excited to visit the shop in person when I’m in Denver in a couple weeks. I plan to pickup their newest sewing pattern Fen and hopefully find some time to sew this Winter. Starting this coming weekend they’ll be hosting Brooklyn Tweeds Wool People 9 Trunk Show, so make sure to visit Fancy Tiger Crafts in person and online at fancytigercrafts.com and on Instagram @fancytigercrafts.

Man on the street: For this week’s “Man on the Street” I asked the question, “What is your favorite yarn with a story?”. We had some great answers from Amy @urban_wife_farm, Melissa @hey_lady_hey, Leanne @leannecoppola

This week we’re giving away a skein of Jill Draper’s Rifton Spun to Stripe fingering yarn. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment on this blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-39-jill-draper-fine-arts-color-girl-small-farm-yarns-and-jill-draper-makes-stuff/feed/145Episode 39: Jill Draper - Fine arts, color girl, small farm yarns, and Jill Draper Makes StuffJill Draper is what I would call one of the OG’s of hand dyed and small farm yarns. From studying fine arts, to making decoupage vases and then finding her calling in dyeing yarn which led to creating her own bases from small flocks around the US, Jill is a gem in this industry and craft. So much of my early interest in farm yarns came from watching Jill’s journey and passion for working with traceable fibers and milling with domestic mills. Many of you may be familiar with Empire, or yarn babies as many call them…boasting 1280 of aran weight Rambouillet wool. She recently released her newest yarn Rifton, a wonderful combination of natural colored and dyed wool. You can find Jill’s incredible line of yarns at many of your favorite local yarn shops and her newest yarn Rifton in her Etsy shop Jill Draper Makes Stuff.Making 45:08
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3890Episode 38: Emmaline Long – Early farming, showmanship, advocacy, and Orchard View Lincoln Longwoolshttp://woolful.com/episode-38-emmaline-long-early-farming-showmanship-advocacy-and-orchard-view-lincoln-longwools/
http://woolful.com/episode-38-emmaline-long-early-farming-showmanship-advocacy-and-orchard-view-lincoln-longwools/#commentsTue, 20 Oct 2015 20:42:46 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3872

Sponsor: I want to thank one of our sponsors for this week’s episode, Edinburgh Yarn Festival, Scotland’s biggest urban yarn event, taking place on the 17th, 18th and 19th of March 2016 in the beautiful World Heritage Site city of Edinburgh, where last year they welcomed 3500 festival visitors. Edinburgh is home to some amazing designers including Ysolda Teague, Gudrun Johnston, Emily Wessel of Tin Can Knits and Lucy Hague of Celtic Cables. There will be a thriving marketplace with yarns, notions and designers from all over the UK and further afield, many of them unique to Scotland or yarns spun from British breed sheep. A spacious knitter’s cafe will offer the opportunity to meet yarn and fibre enthusiasts around the world and some of the best international names in knitting and crochet will be giving workshops, and you can find the festival programme on the website this Friday, so keep an eye out. Visit edinyarnfest.com for all the festival details on workshops, classes, the Knitter’s party, the Podcast Lounge and more. You can also follow along on Instagram @edinyarnfest

Fiber folk: Earlier this Spring I received a very endearing email from a woman named Emmaline, a 24 year old sheep farmer in western NY and owner of Orchard View Lincoln Longwools. As Emma began to share a bit of her story, having started her flock at age 12, building her business with her father over the years and now venturing into the wool aspect of her business, I knew the rest of you should hear her story too. In the fiber farming and production side of the fiber industry I don’t often meet other young folks, especially ones with such spirit and gumption as Emmaline…so I hope you find her story as inspiring and encouraging as I have. You can find Emmaline at orchardviewlincolns.com and on Facebook at Orchard View Lincoln Longwools.

Sponsor: I want to thank our other sponsor for this week’s episode 6 Bits Storybooks, a digital quarterly publication for knitters who love to immerse themselves deeply in their knitting experience…from the mouths of story tellers: knitters, photographers, writers, designers, friends & nature. These storybooks incorporate designs, imagery, location, words, learning and tools to create an deeply engaging experience, taking readers on a journey. 6 Bits was created by two incredibly passionate and inspiring folks within this community, Melissa and Melody, and this past week they launched the first issue of this beautiful digital editorial magazine, so visit 6 Bits Storybooks at 6bitsstorybooks.com to subscribe and find them on Instagram @6.bits.storybooks, @mskiknits and @bmandarines.

Update: If you follow me on Instagram, you’re most likely aware that we recently welcomed some new members to the family…Henry our badger face Icelandic ram lamb and Lulu our Dexter cow. We got Henry a couple week’s back and he’s been hanging out with the ladies. This is his first time to the rodeo, if you know what I mean, and I’m not entirely sure he’s aware of his job…but alas nature will take it’s course eventually I’m sure and hope…haha. He’s a cute little guy, with the softest lambs wool and spunky personality. But as much as I love Henry and the eventual lambs he’ll hopefully help bring to the farm, Lulu has captured my heart in a very special way. We have some exciting plans we’re working on here at the ranch and as a part of that I had been researching dairy cows. I settled on the Dexter breed because of their heritage breed qualities, size, demeanor, milk production and dual purpose. I’ve always been curious of those people who LOVE cows. You know who I’m talking about…they have a bajillion pieces of cow knick knacks and photos in their house…but now I’m not so curious…I kinda get it. Cows are AMAZING! haha. Ok, don’t worry, I still very much love sheep…but just like folks tell you that when you have another child you don’t split your love, you multiply it…well Lulu has multiplied my love…times a thousand. Her eye lashes are unbelievable and her soft wet nose is so adorable. Ok I’ll stop. Well, she’s due to have her first calf the end of May and then we will begin our milking adventures…until then, stay tuned on Instagram for all my circus updates…including one next week…when we welcome 6 alpacas to the ranch.

Giveaway:The winner of last week’s giveaway is, Ivy Perez. You’ve won 2 skeins of a wool and alpaca blend 3-ply yarn, naturally dyed with Logwood from Lost Coast Yarns. Congratulations!

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-38-emmaline-long-early-farming-showmanship-advocacy-and-orchard-view-lincoln-longwools/feed/92Episode 38: Emmaline Long - Early farming, showmanship, advocacy, and Orchard View Lincoln LongwoolsEarlier this Spring I received a very endearing email from a woman named Emmaline, a 24 year old sheep farmer in western NY and owner of Orchard View Lincoln Longwools. As Emma began to share a bit of her story, having started her flock at age 12, building her business with her father over the years and now venturing into the wool aspect of her business, I knew the rest of you should hear her story too. In the fiber farming and production side of the fiber industry I don’t often meet other young folks, especially ones with such spirit and gumption as Emmaline…so I hope you find her story as inspiring and encouraging as I have. You can find Emmaline at orchardviewlincolns.com and on Facebook at Orchard View Lincoln Longwools.Making 48:46
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3872The Woolful Guide to Rhinebeck 2016http://woolful.com/the-woolful-guide-to-rhinebeck-2016/
http://woolful.com/the-woolful-guide-to-rhinebeck-2016/#commentsSat, 17 Oct 2015 00:34:09 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3867

I had very much planned to attend the Sheep and Wool festival in Rhinebeck this week, but with our recent move and me being in San Francisco this week for work, life had other plans…BUT the other day I received an email from a woman named Kristy Glass and she was saying how she would be going to Rhinebeck and how great it would be if she could walk around the festival and visit guests and friends and such. Well I’m a day late, but without further ado, I bring you the Woolful Guide to Rhinebeck.

*I put this list quickly together from a cab on my way to the airport so I apologize if I’ve missed a past guest…I’ll update throughout the weekend if needed. If there’s one thing this list screams…it’s that there are many amazing folks not on it…which means I’ve got a lot more great folks to talk to…

Sponsor: I want to thank one of our sponsors for this week’s episode, NorthCoast Knittery in Eureka California. This charming shop opened it’s doors in 2008, with the hope to create a unique gathering place for fiber folk and help expand the local fiber community. It’s a wonderful spot to meet friends and work on projects as you enjoy a cup of tea. They offer a variety of classes and workshops, helping enhance your skill levels and each Thursday at 6pm they host a Sip & Knit social evening. Make sure to visit NorthCoast Knittery in person when in Eureka and online at northcoastknittery.com for a full selection of beautiful yarns including Lost Coast Yarn, classes and so much more wooly goodness. You can also find them on Instagram @northcoastknittery

Fiber folk: The Lost Coast is one of my favorite places to visit and one we frequented when living in California, because of it’s incredible beauty and good people, like my friend Annie and her family. I remember getting a text one day from Annie saying that I needed to check out this new local yarn, Lost Coast Yarn. A few months later it popped up again when talking with this weeks sponsor, NorthCoast Knittery, the exclusive retailer of the yarns and I knew there had to be a story and special person behind it, and there was. Amanda Malachesky is the dreamer and doer behind Lost Coast Yarn, a new small batch yarn company that sources local fibers and natural dyes to create their line of hand-dyed farmstead yarns. You can find Amanda at Facebook.com/lostcoastyarn and her yarns at northcoastknittery.com.

Sponsor: I want to thank our other sponsor for this week’s episode 6 Bits Storybooks, a digital quarterly publication for knitters who love to immerse themselves deeply in their knitting experience…from the mouths of story tellers: knitters, photographers, writers, designers, friends & nature. These storybooks incorporate designs, imagery, location, words, learning and tools to create an deeply engaging experience, taking readers on a journey. 6 Bits was created by two incredibly passionate and inspiring folks within this community, Melissa and Melody, and their excited to launch the first storybook this week, so keep an eye out and subscribe at 6bitsstorybooks.com and find them on Instagram @6.bits.storybooks, @mskiknits and @bmandarines.

Man on the Street: For this week’s “Man on the Street” I asked the question, “What sort of local fibers/yarns/fiber farms have you discovered in your area?”. We had some great replies from Leanne @leannecoppola, Sam @samanthamaylamb, Kerry @kerryrobb, and Jessie @bonvivant.

Giveaway:The winner of last week’s giveaway is, Maggie B. You’ve won 2 skeins of Savannah yarn and the Norie Hat pattern from Castaway and Folk! Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Lost Coast Yarn, and they’re giving away 2 skeins of a wool and alpaca blend 3-ply yarn, naturally dyed with Logwood. We’ll also be giving away a pattern of your choice from designer Ashley Hurst’s new Lost Coast Collection. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment on this blog post.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-37-amanda-malachesky-the-lost-coast-local-fiber-permaculture-influence-and-lost-coast-yarn/feed/116Episode 37: Amanda Malachesky - The Lost Coast, local fiber, permaculture influence, and Lost Coast YarnThe Lost Coast is one of my favorite places to visit and one we frequented when living in California, because of it’s incredible beauty and good people, like my friend Annie and her family. I remember getting a text one day from Annie saying that I needed to check out this new local yarn, Lost Coast Yarns. A few months later it popped up again when talking with this weeks sponsor, NorthCoast Knittery, the exclusive retailer of the yarns and I knew there had to be a story and special person behind it, and there was. Amanda Malachesky is the dreamer and doer behind Lost Coast Yarns, a new small batch yarn company that sources local fibers and natural dyes to create their line of hand-dyed farmstead yarns. You can find Amanda at Facebook.com/lostcoastyarn and her yarns at northcoastknittery.com.Making 35:43
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3845Summer Knitalong: Home and Away – Share your knitshttp://woolful.com/summer-knitalong-home-and-away-share-your-knits/
http://woolful.com/summer-knitalong-home-and-away-share-your-knits/#commentsWed, 30 Sep 2015 20:08:04 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3830The Summer knitalong had an incredible energy…so many folks joined in knitting a pattern from Hannah Fettig’s most recent book Home and Away…and they were ALL lovely. It seemed that out of all the patterns, the Lesley pullover was the most knit, with the most unique being that from Whitney @whit_knits who handspun the yarn for her Lesley. I think a close second was the Boothbay cardigan, with another unique take from @garmenthouse, who added a purl stitch here and there to create a beautiful stitch pattern.

It was wonderful to see everyone’s such positive response to this beautiful collection of patterns and come away with a new hand knit for Fall. I just finished my own Georgetown this past week and it may just be my new favorite sweater, it’s so versatile and the Quince and Co Owl I knit it with was just the blended tweedy-type goodness I longed for in my wardrobe.

And for those of you still finishing your projects or wanting to knit something from Home and Away…Quince and Co has a “Knitbot Knitalong” starting tomorrow…so keep your eye on their Instagram @quinceandco and blog for more info!

Tomorrow we start Fall Woolful Knitalong…so make sure to join along as we knit a pattern (of your choice) from Cecelia Campochiaro’s new book Sequence Knitting. More info to come this week on our picks, suggested yarns and such.

And without further ado, here are the lucky random winners and prizes for the Summer knitalong…

Sponsor: I want to thank one of our sponsors for this week’s episode, Cast Away and Folk, a modern yarn, sewing & weaving shop in Historic Railroad Square in Santa Rosa, CA. Cast Away and Folk makes their home in a turn of the century large brick loft, that inspires you as soon as you walk through the doors. The three owners, Justine, Leslee and Isla and their experienced team are so welcoming and there to gel you choose your next project or find just the right fiber or fabric you’ve been looking for. They offer a wide variety of great classes and workshops covering sewing, knitting, weaving, felting, embroidery and more. Make sure to visit Cast Away & Folk online at castawayandfolk.com or in person when in Santa Rosa. You can also find them on Instagram @castawayandfolk.

In October, Cast Away and Folk is hosting a very special field trip to one of my most favorite places, Twirl. This is the home of my friend Mary Pettis-Sarley, the creator of Twirl yarn and her myriad of alpacas, sheep, horses, cattle, dogs, chickens, pigs, goats, and of course Zack the donkey. You won’t believe this place…with Napa valley’s rolling hills, indigo fields, and fiber in every which way. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend you join this trip…you’ll leave so inspired by this place and the woman behind it. Snuggles some animals, dye some Twirl yarn and enjoy an included bag lunch…and to register, call Cast Away and Folk at 707.546.9276

Fiber folk: When someone’s name continues to come up in conversations, you start to get the hint that maybe you should get to know said person…well Daphne Marinopoulos is one of those people. After a few months of aligning schedules and rural internet bandwidth, we were finally able to sit down and have a talk, and it spoke to me in a special way…much of that conversation you’ll hear here today. From flight instructor to foreign service officer to fiber mill owner and creator of The Fibre Company, Daphne has had a pretty incredible journey, and one highlighted by a life of fulfilling her creative passion and destiny, something I know many of us seek and aspire to do. I’ve long admired the quality, composition and obvious care that goes into The Fibre Company yarns, but I never realized the story behind it, until now…and as we all know, the story is everything. You can find Daphne at thefibreco.com.

Sponsor: I want to thank our other sponsor for this week’s episode Kelbourne Woolens, a wonderful company built by two passionate women, Courtney Kelley and Kate Gagnon Osborn. Kelbourne itself is unique, serving as the US distributor of The Fibre Company yarns, a design house, author of several books, instructors and makers of their own line of tools and accessories. They focus on modern interpretations of classic designs, and the love of traditional knitting techniques. From their shared experiences in fine art, textiles, retail, and knitwear design, they offer an invaluable resource to this fiber community of ours. Look for them this weekend at the Make. Wear. Love. retreat hosted by Amy Herzog in Sebasco Harbor, Maine. And make sure to visit Kelbourne Woolens at kelbournewoolens.com and on Instagram @kelbournewoolens.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-36-daphne-marinopoulos-west-africa-a-maine-fiber-mill-creative-fulfillment-and-the-fibre-company/feed/82Episode 36: Daphne Marinopoulos - West Africa, a Maine fiber mill, creative fulfillment, and The Fibre CompanyWhen someone’s name continues to come up in conversations, you start to get the hint that maybe you should get to know said person…well Daphne Marinopoulos is one of those people. After a few months of aligning schedules and rural internet bandwidth, we were finally able to sit down and have a talk, and it spoke to me in a special way…much of that conversation you’ll hear here today. From flight instructor to foreign service officer to fiber mill owner and creator of The Fibre Company, Daphne has had a pretty incredible journey, and one highlighted by a life of fulfilling her creative passion and destiny, something I know many of us seek and aspire to do. I’ve long admired the quality, composition and obvious care that goes into The Fibre Company yarns, but I never realized the story behind it, until now…and as we all know, the story is everything.Making
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3810Episode 35: Allison Volek Shelton – Glass blowing, Nashville, Woven fabric, and Shutters and Shuttleshttp://woolful.com/episode-35-allison-volek-shelton-glass-blowing-nashville-woven-fabric-and-shutters-and-shuttles/
http://woolful.com/episode-35-allison-volek-shelton-glass-blowing-nashville-woven-fabric-and-shutters-and-shuttles/#commentsTue, 22 Sep 2015 20:03:42 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3800

Sponsor: I wanted to thank one of our sponsors for this week’s episode, Fiber in the Boro, Middle Tennessee’s largest Fall fiber festival. This one day festival is taking place on Saturday October 24th, with free admission and parking at the Rutherford County Agri-Park right off I-24. This is a wonderful opportunity to discover a wide array of special yarns, fibers, and spinning, knitting and weaving tools from fiber folks both local and all over the Eastern United States. Between the food trucks, yarn bus, classes on saori weaving, spinning, needle felting, natural dyeing, and twining, it’s an event that should not be missed. You can find more info at fiberintheboro.com or follow the festival on Facebook, Ravelry and Instagram @fiberintheboro.

Fiber folk: You can’t help but be mesmerized by the work of Allison Volek Shelton, founder of Shutters and Shuttles in Nashville, TN. The intricacies of the designs, the curated colors of the fiber she both dyes and weaves with…it’s a bit unbelievable. What’s even more intriguiging is hearing her journey of how she went from pursuing a life as a glass blower to herpetology to cupcakes and finally landing in the most serendipitous of callings…a textile weaver. You can find Allison at www.shuttersandshuttles.com and on Instagram @shuttersandshuttles.

Sponsor: I wanted to thank our other sponsor for this week’s episode Yarn, a sweet shop for yarn addicts, created by Sunni Scrivner in Eureka, California. Sunni’s love of color is reflected in her warm and shelfful shop. Her in-shop pattern line called, Sweet Shop Patterns is available in the store and on their website at yarn-fun.com, where you can also find information about classes and other special events, including their “Becoming a Better Knitter” series, with topics from Finishing, Reading Patterns, Seaming and Fixing Mistakes. Make sure to visit Yarn when in Humboldt county and follow along on Instagram @yarnfun418.

Giveaway:The winners of last week’s giveaway, are Sherie Dodson, Jennifer Edwards and kimbuktu7. You’ve each won a Brookfield Shawl pattern kit from Sincere Sheep and designer Annie Rowden. Congratulations!

We have two giveaways this week sponsored by Fiber in the Boro and Shutters and Shuttles. We’re giving away 8oz of mixed BFL fiber in the Squash Blossom color way, from Fiber in the Boro. We’re also giving away two skeins of raw silk noil yarn in the color of your choice from Shutters and Shuttles. To enter this giveaway and be one of the three winners, leave a comment on this post.

Woolful KAL:Beginning October 1st we’ll be starting the Fall Woolful Knitalong which will be co-hosted by Knitterly. This time we’ll be knitting a pattern from Cecelia’s book, Sequence Knitting and the best part is that you get to pick the pattern! So make sure to pick up a copy of her book, which you can find in person or online at knitterly.net. As for what yarn to use? We’ll be putting together a list of suggested yarns, but this could also be a great opportunity to use some of the yarn from your stash or explore using a new yarn like this week’s guest Allison from Shutters and Shuttles raw silk noil yarn. So take a look and start dreaming of the perfect Fall project. We’ll share more details on the blog and podcast this next week. And for all those who have been so patient during this past month as we completed our move, I’ll be announcing the winner’s of last quarter’s Home and Away KAL this week.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-35-allison-volek-shelton-glass-blowing-nashville-woven-fabric-and-shutters-and-shuttles/feed/96Episode 35: Allison Volek Shelton - Glass blowing, Nashville, Woven fabric, and Shutters and ShuttlesYou can’t help but be mesmerized by the work of Allison Volek Shelton, founder of Shutters and Shuttles in Nashville, TN. The intricacies of the designs, the curated colors of the fiber she both dyes and weaves with…it’s a bit unbelievable. What’s even more intriguiging is hearing her journey of how she went from pursuing a life as a glass blower to herpetology to cupcakes and finally landing in the most serendipitous of callings…a textile weaver.Making
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3800Episode 34: Brooke Sinnes – Boarding schools, California, Natural Dyeing and Sincere Sheephttp://woolful.com/episode-34-brooke-sinnes-boarding-schools-california-natural-dyeing-and-sincere-sheep/
http://woolful.com/episode-34-brooke-sinnes-boarding-schools-california-natural-dyeing-and-sincere-sheep/#commentsTue, 15 Sep 2015 19:26:03 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3766

Sponsor: I wanted to thank one of our sponsors for this week’s episode, Fancy Tiger Crafts, a beautiful yarn shop based out of Denver Colorado. This inspired place is owned and operated by self proclaimed fiber nerds, Jaime Jennings and Amber Corcoran…two women who’s hope and journey have allowed them to share their knowledge, adventures and passion in fiber, and this is reflected in their beautiful shop as well as their endeavors in creating their own yarn Heirloom, which you can find in their shop, both in person and online. Make sure to share and visit fancytigercrafts.com

Fancy Tiger Crafts has an exciting event coming up in the beginning of October, Wool Day at the Lyons Farmette…a local fiber retreat which will include your choice of two classes, a catered lunch and a cocktail hour. What could be better than spending a day of spinning, knitting and dyeing in the presence of fellow fiber enthusiasts and a fiber animal bunch…ending with cocktails with the Alpacas. For more information and to register, visit fancytigercrafts.com/events.

Fiber folk: I first met Brooke a couple years ago when I sat across from her at a little knit gathering Karen from Fringe Supply Co had at her studio. At the time I wasn’t aware that she was the force behind Sincere Sheep, but it didn’t take long for me to get to know the passion, knowledge and love this woman has for the fiber industry. She’s so giving with her knowledge and has been a great encourager and connector for my own fiber pursuits, enlightening me about wool classing and encouraging me to attend a local wool classing certification and introducing me other fiber folk who have great wisdom to share. But more than all that, she’s an extremely hardworking mother who naturally dyes the most beautiful collection of domestic yarns. You can find Brooke at SincereSheep.com and on Instagram @sinceresheep.

Sponsor: I wanted to thank our other sponsor for this week’s episode, Stash, a local yarn shop based in Corvallis Oregon who will be celebrating their 4th anniversary next month. The owner, Sonia was a very early supporter and encourager of the podcast and it’s been so great to get to know her a bit and watch all the positive energy she puts into her shop and fiber community. This week Sonia a new podcast, Stash, where she explores topics around creativity, motivation, and staying inspired while running a creative business through conversations with all types of makers. Make sure to visit when in Corvallis and online at stashlocal.com…and stay tuned in the next couple weeks as Stash launches their new online shop, carrying many of the same wonderful yarns, notions and patterns you find in store.

Farmyard Tales: I’m beginning a new segment on the podcast that will rotate with the regular Man on the Street segment…it’s aptly named Farmyard Tales…fun and encouraging anecdotes from farmers and their farmyards…starting with mine.

Many of you know that back in April we welcomed a flock of 4 Icelandic ewes to the ranch…Ethel, Louise, Lucy and Alice. We bought them from a lovely woman near us who thought they might be pregnant from an escaped ram. We watched them over the following month and yes, it did appear as though they might be pregnant. We had a vet out to confirm and opted to skip the ultrasound because he also believed they were pregnant and we’d know soon enough, right? Wrong. The very fluid possible due date has come and gone and so it appears we just have fat sheep. Because of their new greener pastures, small added grain for “pregnancy” and thickening fleeces…it would appear we’ve been duped. This is after much anticipation of lambs, including building projects to prepare for them..haha. What is it they say? That everyday is a lesson in farming? Well this was a humorous and humbling one for sure.

Giveaway:The winner of last week’s giveaway, is Judy from Judy in the Dyes! You’ve won the Pompeii hat kit, which includes a skein of natural SilverSpun yarn and a skein of dyed SilverSpun yarn, along with the Pompeii Hat pattern. Congratulations!

The giveaway this week is sponsored by Sincere Sheep and we’re giving away, not one, but three Brookfield Shawl pattern kits, which includes a skein of Sincere Sheep Silken Fingering and Brookfield a pattern created by Annie Rowden for Among Friends, a collaboration between Brooke of Sincere Sheep and Lorajean of Knitted Wit. To enter this giveaway and be one of the three winners, leave a comment on this post.

Events: For all of the UK listeners, I wanted to bring your attention to an event happening this weekend at Loop, in London. On Saturday September 19th, Nathalie Lété will be painting Loop’s large storefront window in honor of their 10th anniversary. If you’re in the area, make sure to visit for this beautiful event and to also check out Loop’s new book 10, featuring twelve patterns celebrating ten fabulous year of Loop London…including designers Pam Allen, Ysolda Teague, Stephen West, Donna Higgins, Juju Vail, Tif Fussel and Kirstin Kapur and many beautiful yarns.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-34-brooke-sinnes-boarding-schools-california-natural-dyeing-and-sincere-sheep/feed/135Episode 34: Brooke Sinnes - Boarding schools, California, Natural Dyeing and Sincere SheepI first met Brooke a couple years ago when I sat across from her at a little knit gathering Karen from Fringe Supply Co had at her studio. At the time I wasn’t aware that she was the force behind Sincere Sheep, but it didn’t take long for me to get to know the passion, knowledge and love this woman has for the fiber industry. She’s so giving with her knowledge and has been a great encourager and connector for my own fiber pursuits, enlightening me about wool classing and encouraging me to attend a local wool classing certification and introducing me other fiber folk who have great wisdom to share. But more than all that, she’s an extremely hardworking mother who naturally dyes the most beautiful collection of domestic yarns. You can find Brooke at SincereSheep.com and on Instagram @sinceresheep.Making 58:12
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3766Episode 33: Laurie Gonyea – Fiber entrepreneurism, silver spun yarn, therapeutic fibers, and Feel Good Yarn Cohttp://woolful.com/episode-33-laurie-gonyea-fiber-entrepreneurism-silver-spun-yarn-therapeutic-fibers-and-feel-good-yarn-co/
http://woolful.com/episode-33-laurie-gonyea-fiber-entrepreneurism-silver-spun-yarn-therapeutic-fibers-and-feel-good-yarn-co/#commentsTue, 01 Sep 2015 22:05:29 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3723

Sponsor: I wanted to thank this week’s sponsor, Feel Good Yarn Co, the creator of SilverSpun yarn. This incredible cotton and silver blend yarn is produced using only American sourced fibers and is spun by the folks at North Carolina State University. Aside from it’s beautiful texture and stitch definition, SilverSpun yarn has some pretty amazing therapeutic and thermal properties because of it’s unique silver content, which you’ll hear a lot more about in this episode. They recently introduced two new products, a colored version of their flagship product, the sport weight SilverSpun yarn and a new fingering weight version of the SilverSpun…perfect for socks, shawls and other knits. Make sure to visit feelgoodyarnco.com for more information and to buy this very special yarn.

Fiber folk: One of my favorite things since starting this podcast is being introduced to some of the most amazing people in the fiber industry and the things they are up to. One such person is the spirited Laurie Gonyea of Feel Good Fiber Co, who is doing something pretty exciting with her yarn SilverSpun. As I got to know Laurie a bit better, I loved seeing and hearing her enthusiasm, not only for this great product, but for entrepreneurism and how these two things combined can have a very positive affect on many peoples lives…as makers, as receivers and as women and mothers in business. You can find Laurie at feelgoodyarnco.com and on Instagram @feelgoodyarnco.

Earlier this Summer, Courtney Spainhower of Pink Brutus Knits posted a helpful and thorough review of the SilverSpun yarn…I encourage you to check it out to learn more from another knitter/designer’s perspective.

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Feel Good Yarn Co and we’re giving away the Pompeii hat kit, which includes a skein of natural SilverSpun yarn and a skein of dyed SilverSpun yarn, along with the Pompeii Hat pattern. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment on this post.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-33-laurie-gonyea-fiber-entrepreneurism-silver-spun-yarn-therapeutic-fibers-and-feel-good-yarn-co/feed/149Episode 33: Laurie Gonyea - Fiber entrepreneurism, silver spun yarn, therapeutic fibers, and Feel Good Yarn CoOne of my favorite things since starting this podcast is being introduced to some of the most amazing people in the fiber industry and the things they are up to. One such person is the spirited Laurie Gonyea of Feel Good Fiber Co, who is doing something pretty exciting with her yarn SilverSpun. As I got to know Laurie a bit better, I loved seeing and hearing her enthusiasm, not only for this great product, but for entrepreneurism and how these two things combined can have a very positive affect on many peoples lives…as makers, as receivers and as women and mothers in business.Making 35:13
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3723Episode 32: Cecelia Campochiaro -Rational tech thinking, sequence knitting, self-publishing and the importance of bookshttp://woolful.com/episode-32-cecelia-campochiaro-rational-tech-thinking-sequence-knitting-self-publishing-and-the-importance-of-books/
http://woolful.com/episode-32-cecelia-campochiaro-rational-tech-thinking-sequence-knitting-self-publishing-and-the-importance-of-books/#commentsTue, 25 Aug 2015 21:35:08 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3690

Sponsor: I wanted to thank this week’s sponsor, Knitterly…a special yarn shop created by Shelli Westcott, based in Petaluma California. I am always amazed at the well curated selection of yarns, fibers and classes Shelli works so hard to provide all us fiber enthusiasts. Knitterly recently released a gorgeous collection of weaving kits featuring a selection of colors and textures chosen by Shelli and her daughter Ashleigh. Make sure to visit knitterly.net for a great list of upcoming classes at the Petaluma shop and a vast selection of yarns and their own Radius collection.

Fiber folk: A few weeks ago, I spent a morning sitting in our living room and chatting with Cecelia Campochiaro, the author and creator behind Sequence Knitting. It was fun to discover commonalities other than the obvious love of fiber…from our careers in tech and our time in Taiwan, to having the same tech editor and analytical approach. Sitting across from Cecelia, you can see the passion and dedication to which she applies to her craft, but more than that, you can hear it in her voice. She’s spent an immense amount of time and thought, bringing to the world her first book, Sequence Knitting, a labor of love and necessary addition to any knitters library. You can find Cecelia at sequenceknitting.com and on Instagram @ceceliacampochiaro.

Man on the street: For this week’s “Man on the Street” I asked the question, “What sort of fiber related books fill your library?”. We had some great answers from Leanne @leannecoppola, Lauren @woolpickle, and Maria @fernfiber.

Sponsor: I wanted to make sure and thank our episode sponsor again, Knitterly. During the next few months Knitterly will be having a series of classes and workshops perfect for any fiber lover…from beginning knitting, to weaving, European Finishing Techniques, holiday inspired crafts, and Feltidermy. But the event I want to draw special attention to takes place in a few weeks on September 12th, when Cecelia, today’s guest, will be at Knitterly giving an intro on what sequence knitting is and teaching a workshop based on the techniques found in her book. I so wish I was going to be in the area so I could attend this myself, but if you live in the area or will be passing through, you really must go meet Cecelia and be a part of this special event. Find this and a list of all the other classes and workshops at knitterly.net

Giveaway:The winner of last week’s giveaway, is Beth of Evergreen Violet! You’ve won 2 skeins of Fancy Tiger Crafts Heirloom Romney along with their beautiful Imposter’s Shawl pattern. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Knitterly and Rowan Morrison Books. We’re giving away one of Cecelia’s books, Sequence Knitting from Knitterly and a 3-pack of the Knitters Graph Paper Journal from Rowan Morrison Books. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment in the comment section at the bottom of the post page.

Knitalong: Beginning October 1st we’ll be starting the Fall Woolful Knitalong which will be co-hosted by Knitterly. This time we’ll be knitting a pattern from Cecelia’s book, Sequence Knitting and the best part is that you get to pick the pattern! So make sure to pick up a copy of her book, which you can find in person or online at knitterly.net. As for what yarn to use? We’ll be putting together a list of suggested yarns, but this could also be a great opportunity to use some of the yarn from your stash. So take a look and start dreaming of the perfect Fall project. We’ll share more details on the blog and podcast as it get’s closer.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-32-cecelia-campochiaro-rational-tech-thinking-sequence-knitting-self-publishing-and-the-importance-of-books/feed/103Episode 32: Cecelia Campochiaro -Rational tech thinking, sequence knitting, self-publishing and the importance of booksA few weeks ago, I spent a morning sitting in our living room and chatting with Cecelia Campochiaro, the author and creator behind Sequence Knitting. It was fun to discover commonalities other than the obvious love of fiber…from our careers in tech and our time in Taiwan, to having the same tech editor and analytical approach. Sitting across from Cecelia, you can see the passion and dedication to which she applies to her craft, but more than that, you can hear it in her voice. She’s spent an immense amount of time and thought, bringing to the world her first book, Sequence Knitting, a labor of love and necessary addition to any knitters library. You can find Cecelia at sequenceknitting.com and on Instagram @ceceliacampochiaro.Making
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3690Episode 31: Jaime Jennings and Amber Corcoran -Coffee shops, Fiber travel, Partnership and Handspun tiger fluffhttp://woolful.com/episode-31-jaime-jennings-and-amber-corcoran-coffee-shops-fiber-travel-partnership-and-handspun-tiger-fluff/
http://woolful.com/episode-31-jaime-jennings-and-amber-corcoran-coffee-shops-fiber-travel-partnership-and-handspun-tiger-fluff/#commentsTue, 11 Aug 2015 07:00:10 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3666

Sponsor: I wanted to thank this week’s sponsor, Fancy Tiger Crafts, a beautiful yarn shop based out of Denver Colorado. This inspired place is owned and operated by self proclaimed fiber nerds, Jaime Jennings and Amber Corcoran…two women who’s hope and journey have allowed them to share their knowledge, adventures and passion in fiber, and this is reflected in their beautiful shop as well as their endeavors in creating their own yarn Heirloom, which you can find in their shop, both in person and online. Make sure to share and visit fancytigercrafts.com

Fancy Tiger Crafts has some great upcoming classes and workshops taught by some of our favorite fiber folks. This week on August 13th and 15th, Bristol Ivy will be teaching two classes, Brioche 101 and Knitting Outside the Box. On September 3rd, Meghan Shimek will be teaching a tapestry weaving workshop, which includes a loom designed by Meghan herself. For more information and to register, visit fancytigercrafts.com/classes

Fiber folk: I first got to know Jaime and Amber via Instagram and later on in person when they were visiting the Bay Area. These two incredibly creative and inspiring women are just as sweet and hilarious in person as you can imagine, but what’s even greater is how their journeys crossed paths and later joined to create the amazing store we know as Fancy Tiger Crafts. Their passion for handmade wardrobes, teaching and creating community is evident in every facet of what they do. You can find Jaime and Amber at fancytigercrafts.com and on Instagram @fancytigercrafts, @fancyjaime and @fancyamber.

Man on the street: For this week’s “Man on the Street” I asked the question, “How do the warmer Summer months affect your fiber habits?”. We had some great answers from Jennifer @jay_kay_knits, Kerry @kerryrobb, Sonja @atreebytheriver and Melissa @hey_lady_hey.

Giveaway:The winner of last week’s giveaway, is Sarah! You’ve won 2 skeins of Woolfolk Tynd and the Fure Armwarmers pattern from Knit Purl. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Fancy Tiger Crafts and we’re giving away two skeins of their Heirloom Romney yarn in the color of your choice, along with their beautiful Imposter’s Shawl pattern. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment in the comment section at the bottom of the post page.

Sponsor: I wanted to make sure and thank our other sponsor today, Portfiber, a wonderful shop in Portland, Maine, specializing in one of a kind, hand-dyed fiber and yarn. Casey has curated an incredible collection of spinning fiber including yak, Chiri, Alpaca, Polwarth and hand-dyed blends. Portfiber offers something very special to the Portland community, helping foster the fiber arts through various classes and events and encouraging the connection between maker and medium. You can visit Portfiber in person when in Portland Maine and shop online at portfiber.com

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-31-jaime-jennings-and-amber-corcoran-coffee-shops-fiber-travel-partnership-and-handspun-tiger-fluff/feed/146Episode 31: Jaime Jennings and Amber Corcoran -Coffee shops, Fiber travel, Partnership and Handspun tiger fluffI first got to know Jaime and Amber via Instagram and later on in person when they were visiting the Bay Area. These two incredibly creative and inspiring women are just as sweet and hilarious in person as you can imagine, but what’s even greater is how their journeys crossed paths and later joined to create the amazing store we know as Fancy Tiger Crafts. Their passion for handmade wardrobes, teaching and creating community is evident in every facet of what they do. You can find Jaime and Amber at fancytigercrafts.com and on Instagram @fancytigercrafts, @fancyjaime and @fancyamber.Making 48:34
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3666Seamed vs. Seamless: A discussion on construction with Hannah Fettighttp://woolful.com/seamed-vs-seamless-a-discussion-on-construction-with-hannah-fettig/
http://woolful.com/seamed-vs-seamless-a-discussion-on-construction-with-hannah-fettig/#commentsWed, 05 Aug 2015 21:02:06 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3658We’ve just begun our second month in the Home and Away Woolful Knit-a-long, and of course there’s still time to join, heck I am just swatching for mine now! There have been some wonderful shares on Instagram (via #woolfulkal) and shares on the Ravelry group so make sure to check those out. I’ve loved seeing so many different projects in both seamed and seamless construction, from both beginners and seasoned knitters. I’ll be knitting a seamed Georgetown for the very reasons Hannah talks about here…

The word is out: one of the awesome features of Home & Away is that you can choose to either knit your sweater in pieces and then seam them or knit it seamless in one big piece.

There is no wrong choice, as either way will yield the same result. If you’re wondering, there are advantages to both methods which you can consider.

A seamed sweater, knit in pieces, makes your project more portable. Also, the seams in your completed sweater will add structure and stability. Knit fabric by nature wants to stretch. Seams keep everything in place. When you have a floaty open cardigan such as Hancock you might not be as concerned about structure. It can still be important, especially if you are working with a fiber that stretches, such as alpaca, cotton or a superwash wool. Good shoulder seams can be important as the entire weight of the garment hangs from these points.

Seamless sweaters have their own advantages, too. Good seaming takes time, and with minimal finishing to work once the seamless sweater is complete, that’s time saved. Another advantage of a seamless sweater, particularly a sweater knit from the top down, is that you can try it on and adjust the fit as you go. For these reasons, a seamless sweater can be a great choice for a first time sweater knitter.

There is a thread in the Home & Away group dedicated to seamed vs. seamless construction. Do you have a preference? Join the conversation! -Hannah

Seaming can be a bit nerve-wracking, especially if you’re a new knitter. My first sweater was seamed and to be honest when I chose the pattern, seams hadn’t even occurred to me…I was a bit naive. As I approached the time to seam and finish, I remember being nervous, but confident that if I took my time and watched plenty of YouTube videos I’d be ok…and I was! Taking proper time to seam your garment is key and having insight into both the benefits and know-hows of seaming helps tremendously. While watching how-to videos is still a great resource, there’s an even better one (in my opinion). Karen Templer of Fringe Association has done several very helpful posts on seamed and seamless construction as a part of her #fringeandfriendsknitalong that took place last year when many folks knit the Amanda cardigan. I highly recommend checking out these posts if you’d like to go a bit deeper on this seamed vs. seamless discussion.

Sponsor: I wanted to thank this week’s sponsor, Knit Purl in Portland, Oregon. A wonderfully motivating yarn shop founded by Darcy Cameron in 2004, with the intention to create a unique curated experience for yarn buyers. They’ve worked closely with local, regional and international makers and designers to provide a one of a kind experience, to fuel creativity for fiber and design enthusiasts. Each month they offer a great calendar of classes and events, and every other Wednesday you can join other fiber folk for Knit Night at 6pm. Make sure to stop by in person when in Portland and shop their large selection of yarns including Woolfolk yarns at knit-purl.com.

Fiber folk: Kristin is an architect, mother, maker, farmer, entrepreneur and inspiration. Design has been a thread deeply woven in the fabric of her life…from her career as an architect to her recent entrepreneurial endeavors with Woolfolk Yarn, an incredibly thoughtful and beautifully created and curated yarn brand with focuses heavy in sustainability and softness. Her mile a minute life has been fun to keep up and hearing her passion and witnessing her gumption for life is pretty awesome. You can find Kristin at woolfolkyarn.com and on Instagram @woolfolk_yarn.

Man on the street: For this week’s “Man on the Street” I asked the question, “What are some of your non-fiber inspirations…what feeds your creative voice besides yarn/knitting/weaving itself?” shared by Mary in our woolful raveler grow.” We had some great answers from Maria @fernfiber, Amy @urban_farm_wife and Lauren @woolpickle.

Giveaway:The winner of last week’s giveaway, is Amanda! You’ve won a skein of Swans Island Natural Colors Worsted weight yarn in Garnet and the Olivia Cowl pattern from NorthCoast Knittery. Congratulations!

This week we’re giving away 2 skeins of the Woolfolk yarn Tynd in #7, along with Fure Armwarmers pattern, designed especially for Woolfolk by Olga Buraya-Kefelian. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment in the comment section at the bottom of the post page.

Sponsor: I wanted to make sure and thank today’s sponsor again, Knit Purl. Along with their impactful presence as a local yarn shop in Portland, Oregon, they’ve put together a dream collection of yarns in their online shop, including some of my favorites, Woolfolk, Brooklyn Tweed, Sincere Sheep, Swans Island and Twirl. To find these yarns, along with patterns and notions visit knit-purl.com. And coming this Fall and Winter, Knit Purl has some very exciting events and classes featuring Jared Flood of Brooklyn Tweed, Shellie Anderson of Shibui, Cecilia Compochiaro of Sequence Knitting and designers Olga Buraya-Kefelian and Melanie Berg. Sign up for their newsletter at knit-purl.com to learn more, get updates and receive details on how to register. And through the end of this month, Knit Purl is celebrating Lace Month, use code LACEYARN for 10% all lace yarns.

Events: This September 20th -24th, enjoy 4 evenings & 3 full days of fiber fun with lessons and supervised hands-on practice of needlefelting, handspinning yarn and hooking a wool rug sampler at Wing & A Prayer Farm in Shaftsbury, VT using wool that was grown on the farm & sourced locally. Novice fiber-enthusiasts will build fundamentals, while experienced students can focus on improving and picking up new techniques. There’ll be traditional rug hooking design and needle felting in addition to basic principles of spinning, learning about the tools, equipment, carding, combing, yarn design, color & dyeing.

There’ll be plenty of time for spinning, and, as a bonus, you will be welcome to enjoy walks about the farm and local country roads, self-touring to include Wing & A Prayer Farm’s fiber flocks. Many of the flock are very keen to snuggle with visitors, so you’ll want to make sure to bring along some boots for the outdoors and pack your flannel for crisp Vermont fall days, pack your camera for beautiful foliage. All meals & snacks are home cooked and farm stay accommodations are included in the registration. Fresh air, starry nights, & making new friends are on the house. A limited number of signups are available and more information is on the Wing & A Prayer Farm website at wingandaprayerfarm.com.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-30-kristin-ford-architectural-influence-northwest-palette-patagonian-merino-and-bleacher-projects/feed/141Episode 30: Kristin Ford - Architectural influence, Northwest palette, Patagonian Merino, and Bleacher projectsKristin is an architect, mother, maker, farmer, entrepreneur and inspiration. Design has been a thread deeply woven in the fabric of her life…from her career as an architect to her recent entrepreneurial endeavors with Woolfolk Yarn, an incredibly thoughtful and beautifully created and curated yarn brand with focuses heavy in sustainability and softness. Her mile a minute life has been fun to keep up and hearing her passion and witnessing her gumption for life is pretty awesome. You can find Kristin at woolfolkyarn.com and on Instagram @woolfolk_yarn.Making 38:05
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3624Episode 29: Jackie Ottino-Graf – Spinning in backwoods Maine, all things Swans Island yarn, Commercial Natural Dyeing, Sustainable productionhttp://woolful.com/episode-29-jackie-ottino-graf-spinning-in-backwoods-maine-all-things-swans-island-yarn-commercial-natural-dyeing-sustainable-production/
http://woolful.com/episode-29-jackie-ottino-graf-spinning-in-backwoods-maine-all-things-swans-island-yarn-commercial-natural-dyeing-sustainable-production/#commentsTue, 21 Jul 2015 14:59:23 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3603

Sponsor: I wanted to thank one of this week’s sponsors, NorthCoast Knittery in Eureka California. This charming shop opened it’s doors in 2008, with the hope to create a unique gathering place for fiber folk and help expand the local fiber community. It’s a wonderful spot to meet friends and work on projects as you enjoy a cup of tea. They offer a variety of classes and workshops, helping enhance your skill levels and each Thursday at 6pm they host a Sip & Knit social evening. Make sure to visit NorthCoast Knittery in person when in Eureka and online at northcoastknittery.com for a full selection of Swans Island yarns, classes and so much more wooly goodness.And between now and September, NorthCoast Knittery is doing a drive for Hats for the Homeless, where they give away yarn and hat patterns to locals that would like to participate in knitting hats which will then be donated to a local homeless organization and the Eureka rescue mission. To be involved visit northcoastknittery.com and email via the contact page.

Fiber folk: From midwife to wool maven, Jackie Ottino-Graf is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to natural dyeing, fiber and all things Swans Island Company. Her fiber journey began in the backwoods of Maine and led her to become an integral part of the Swans Island team whether it be curating yarns, developing new product lines, spreading the Swans Island love or naturally dyeing. Talking with her impressed upon me even more the importance of knowing the materials you’re working with, domestic production and handcrafting. You can find Jackie at swansislandcompany.com and on Instagram @swansislandcompany and @swansislandyarn.

Update: As many of you know, I took the last couple weeks off from the podcast, and for very good reason. My husband David and I recently made the decision to make our move to our ranch permanent. We’ve begun the trek from California to Idaho and will continue to do so over the next few weeks. This past week David’s cousin and his wife traveled from LA to the ranch with their 6 children to help us transport the yurt we bought from Canada. Yes, we bought a yurt! We’ve begun the process of building a platform and look forward to having a “yurt-raising” later this Summer. We couldn’t be more excited and more thankful for the blessing of our family coming to work with us. I will forever be moved by the gracious attitude and love those 6 kids shared with us.

We’ve also been anxiously anticipating the arrival of lambs any day now. Three of the ewes were pregnant when they arrived at the ranch in May. The farm we got them from had a ram who passed away in February, but not before a last accidental hurrah with the ewes haha. So we’re late to the lambing game this year, but nonetheless ready. Make sure to follow along on Instagram @woolful for updates on all our adventures.

Giveaway:The winner of last week’s giveaway, is Niree! You’ve won the beautiful bulky handspun yarn from Camellia Fiber Company and a pair of needles from Craft South. Congratulations!

The giveaway this week is sponsored NorthCoast Knittery and we’re giving away a skein of 1 skein of Swans Island Natural Colors Worsted weight yarn in Garnet along with a copy of the Olivia Cowl pattern, packaged beautifully in a linen project bag. To enter, click into this blog post and leave a comment.

Sponsor: I wanted to make sure and thank our other sponsor today, Knitterly…a special yarn shop created by Shelli Westcott, based in Petaluma California. I am always amazed at the well curated selection of yarns, fibers and classes Shelli works so hard to provide all us fiber enthusiasts. Knitterly recently released a gorgeous collection of weaving kits featuring a selection of colors and textures chosen by Shelli and her daughter Ashleigh. Make sure to visit knitterly.net for a great list of upcoming classes at the Petaluma shop and a vast selection of yarns including Swans Island and their own Radius collection.

Knitalong: Earlier this month we kicked off the Home and Away Woolful Knitalong, where folks can join by knitting any pattern from Hannah Fettig’s new book Home and Away. There have been so many great work in progresses shared in our Ravelry group and on Instagram via the hashtag #woolfulKAL. There’s still plenty of time to join, so visit woolful.com for more info and special posts from Hannah and other folks!

Events: This September 20th -24th, enjoy 4 evenings & 3 full days of fiber fun with lessons and supervised hands-on practice of needlefelting, handspinning yarn and hooking a wool rug sampler at Wing & A Prayer Farm in Shaftsbury, VT using wool that was grown on the farm & sourced locally. Novice fiber-enthusiasts will build fundamentals, while experienced students can focus on improving and picking up new techniques. There’ll be traditional rug hooking design and needle felting in addition to basic principles of spinning, learning about the tools, equipment, carding, combing, yarn design, color & dyeing.

There’ll be plenty of time for spinning, and, as a bonus, you will be welcome to enjoy walks about the farm and local country roads, self-touring to include Wing & A Prayer Farm’s fiber flocks. Many of the flock are very keen to snuggle with visitors, so you’ll want to make sure to bring along some boots for the outdoors and pack your flannel for crisp Vermont fall days, pack your camera for beautiful foliage. All meals & snacks are home cooked and farm stay accommodations are included in the registration. Fresh air, starry nights, & making new friends are on the house. A limited number of signups are available and more information is on the Wing & A Prayer Farm website at wingandaprayerfarm.com.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-29-jackie-ottino-graf-spinning-in-backwoods-maine-all-things-swans-island-yarn-commercial-natural-dyeing-sustainable-production/feed/102Episode 29: Jackie Ottino-Graf - Spinning in backwoods Maine, all things Swans Island yarn, Commercial Natural Dyeing, Sustainable productionFrom midwife to wool maven, Jackie Ottino-Graf is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to natural dyeing, fiber and all things Swans Island Company. Her fiber journey began in the backwoods of Maine and led her to become an integral part of the Swans Island team whether it be curating yarns, developing new product lines, spreading the Swans Island love or naturally dyeing. Talking with her impressed upon me even more the importance of knowing the materials you’re working with, domestic production and handcrafting. You can find Jackie at swansislandcompany.com and on Instagram @swansislandcompany and @swansislandyarn.Making 49:11
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3603Styling your knits: An exercise with Hannah Fettighttp://woolful.com/styling-your-knits-an-exercise-with-hannah-fettig/
http://woolful.com/styling-your-knits-an-exercise-with-hannah-fettig/#commentsWed, 08 Jul 2015 07:00:53 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3585The Home and Away Woolful Knit-a-long is off to a radiant start, and you can still join if you’ve been hoping to! It’s been so great to see all the beautiful images on Instagram (via #woolfulkal) and shares on the Ravelry group. I’ve been super anxious to cast on, but alas it will have to wait until this weekend when I have the yarn and a moment to swatch. In the meantime, Hannah has some great tips on styling and choosing the right yarn…

My wardrobe is pretty minimal. This is partly from necessity, as we’ve always lived in old New England homes with very small closets. But in reality even if I own 20 shirts, I only truly wear 4 of them in high rotation. Is this the case for you, too? Go to your closet and set these much loved and worn pieces aside. Arrange them into outfits, top to bottom. Do you notice any patterns? For instance, is there a lot of the same color showing up? Are they all the same fabric or cut? Now, with these outfits in mind, you can start making your pattern selection. Which design from Home & Away will best work with the outfits you’ve put together, the outfits your wear most often?

Once you’ve selected a design, it’s time to choose a yarn and a color. For myself, it really helps to make yarn selections in person. Hopefully you have a local yarn shop that you can go to. If you don’t and will be ordering online, Ravelry can be very helpful. You can look up a particular yarn and then choose to see all the projects that have been posted on Ravelry in that yarn. This gives you a chance to see what the yarn and various colors look like knit up into garments.

When substituting yarn for the ones used in the book, keep in mind the fiber content of the original yarn. It’s listed in each pattern. The majority of designs in Home & Away are knit in 100% wool. Quince & Co. yarns are quite light and airy, squishy, sproingy (if that’s a word, ha!) When considering a substitute yarn that includes a blend of other types of fiber, or is perhaps a denser wool yarn, think about what the finished knit fabric will be like as a result. If you’re not sure, you can ask your local yarn shop owner or ask the community in the Woolful KAL Ravelry group. Clara Parkes Book of Yarn is a very helpful resource on understanding fiber in yarn, too.

Every design in Home & Away is something I would personally wear. And I styled the outfits, so that’s how I would wear them! However, these garments could be styled in many ways. I look forward to seeing how you all incorporate them into your wardrobes. Get knitting!!

Sponsor: I wanted to thank one of our sponsors for this week’s episode, Nutmeg in Nashville, Tennessee. Nutmeg started as a cottage industry, out of creator Meg Anderson’s kitchen, with pop up shops and workshops. The store is a passion project, it’s about building a space for the vibrant community of makers to be inspired. They carry unique fabrics, perfect for building a real wardrobe with, and lovely prints for quilting, etc. Meg works hard to carry fibers that are one of kind, from small batch makers, as well as skeins for folks that are just learning. She dreams of one day having an entire wall of local farm yarn. It’s important to her to have quality items, that feel accessible, so that people feel welcomed into the world of knitting/sewing and inspires all the creative juices. Make sure to visit Nutmeg when in Nashville and online at nutmegster.com, where you’ll find a really great selection of maker goods, including their new yarn lovers club. You can find Nutmeg on Instagram @nutmegster.

Fiber folk: This week we get to follow the journey of southern sweetheart, Rebekka Seale of Camellia Fiber Company. Many of you may be familiar with her beautiful handspun and naturally hand dyed yarns, but it’s the woman behind this operation and endeavor that you really must get to know. As we talked and I listened to her stories, there was a sense of familiarity in the ways of career, dreams, family and pursuits. Many of those stories you get to hear here today, and I hope you’ll be as charmed and inspired by her as I was. You can find Rebekka at camelliafibercompany.com and on Instagram @camelliafibercompany.

Man on the street: For this week’s “Man on the Street” I asked a follow up to last week’s question: “For those who have naturally dyed fiber or yarn…what are your favorite dye materials to work with and why?” We had some great answers from Maria @fernfiber, Nikki @woolenviolet, Kerry @kerryrobb, and Jennifer @jay_kay_knits.

The giveaway this week is sponsored Camellia Fiber Company, and we’re giving away a skein of bulky handspun US grown Merino, and a pair of size 13 Craft South birch needles, made in North Carolina. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment in the comment section at the bottom of the post page.

Sponsor: I wanted to make sure and thank our other episode sponsor, Have Company. Have Company began in 2013, created by maker and dreamer Marlee Grace. This is a charming shop, gallery and space in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a focus on handmade and apothecary goods, textiles and helping encourage artists and building community. They host artists from all over the country who teach workshops in the shop as a part of their artist residency program. Recently Have Company expanded their shop to offer a beautiful selection of yarns and needles, including Quince and Company, Camellia Fiber Company and Brittany knitting needles. This addition to the Grand Rapids fiber community is quite significant and exciting…you can visit Have Company in person when in Grand Rapids or learn more about them and shop online at have-company.com. You can find Have Company on Instagram @havecompany

Knitalong: The Home and Away Woolful Knitalong starts July 1st! Have you chosen the pattern you’ll knit? The yarn you’ll use? I’d love to see! I’ve decided on the Georgetown Cardigan, and will be knitting it with Quince and Co Owl. Share your WIPs and photos on our Ravelry group or on Instagram using hashtag #woolfulkal. Find more details here…

Events: I wanted to let you all know about an exciting new event that is taking place this October. One of our past guests, Hanahlie Beise has started a wonderful new residency, Colour in the Cauldron. It is the first of a textile research & residency series organized by her company, Hinterland Textiles, and will take place in Oaxaca, Mexico. Located high in the mountainous Central Valleys region, Oaxaca is rich in culture and is known world wide for its history in textiles and natural dyes.

This residency includes nine nights’ accommodation at a beautiful bed and breakfast in the heart of the city. Folks will participate in an intensive natural dye workshop with Elsa Sanchez Diaz and Eric Chavez in Teotitlan del Valle for two full days, have an open studio day in Oaxaca City where they focus on dyeing with cochineal and caoba, chauffeured trips to a cochineal farm and coyuchi cotton village, guided tours of many local museums and galleries and scheduled talks and conversations with local textile experts and tours to various parts of the city and surrounding area.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-28-rebekka-seale-alabama-gulf-coast-renaissance-reenactments-handspun-goodness-and-fiber-comfort/feed/176Episode 28: Rebekka Seale - Alabama Gulf Coast, Renaissance reenactments, Handspun goodness and Fiber comfortThis week we get to follow the journey of southern sweetheart, Rebekka Seale of Camellia Fiber Company. Many of you may be familiar with her beautiful handspun and naturally hand dyed yarns, but it’s the woman behind this operation and endeavor that you really must get to know. As we talked and I listened to her stories, there was a sense of familiarity in the ways of career, dreams, family and pursuits. Many of those stories you get to hear here today, and I hope you’ll be as charmed and inspired by her as I was. You can find Rebekka at camelliafibercompany.com and on Instagram @camelliafibercompany.Making 36:07
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3565Summer Knitalong: Home and Awayhttp://woolful.com/summer-knitalong-home-and-away/
http://woolful.com/summer-knitalong-home-and-away/#commentsThu, 25 Jun 2015 05:46:06 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3550For those of you who listened to the most recent podcast episodes, specifically Hannah’s episode, may have been anticipating the newest Woolful Knitalong. We’ll be knitting a pattern from Hannah Fettig’s newest book, Home and Away, and the best part? It’s your choice! You pick the pattern that will best fit your upcoming Fall handmade wardrobe, and join along!

Will you choose the Sycamore vest, the Georgetown cardigan or maybe the Boothbay cardigan? I’m having a hard time deciding between Georgetown and Boothybay…which one are you going to pick? I’d love to hear what you choose, so share in the comments below and if you’re on Instagram, make sure to share your work-in-progresses with the hashtag #woolfulkal or post to the Ravelry thread HERE.

So what else do you need to know about this knitalong? We’ll start July 1st, and while there is no hard deadline, we’ll aim to wrap it up by Sept 1st. Already started a pattern from Home and Away? Great! You can join in as well.

Throughout the next couple of months, there will be special stories, tips and tricks here on the blog and we’ll have a few fun giveaways for those that join.

Find…

Print and digital Home and Away books HERE.
Quince and Co yarn for all the patterns HERE.
Home and Away Ravelry page HERE.
Woolful knitalong Ravelry group HERE.

]]>http://woolful.com/summer-knitalong-home-and-away/feed/143550Episode 27: Brittany Cole Bush – Modern shepherding, Land stewarding, Urban grazing, and Holistic hideshttp://woolful.com/episode-27-brittany-cole-bush-modern-shepherding-land-stewarding-urban-grazing-and-holistic-hides/
http://woolful.com/episode-27-brittany-cole-bush-modern-shepherding-land-stewarding-urban-grazing-and-holistic-hides/#commentsTue, 23 Jun 2015 07:00:41 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3515I’m very excited to share the twenty-seventh episode of the Woolful podcast. Each and every week I’m so eager to introduce you to a special guest and this week I’m as excited as ever…meet modern pastoral maiden, Brittany Cole Bush.

Sponsor: I wanted to thank one of our sponsors for this week’s episode, Kismet Fiber Works. A collaboration between Angie LeNoir and Stephanie Stotts of Buchanan Virginia, Kismet Fiber Works sources their fibers from local, family owned farms and a Women’s Cooperative in Tajikistan. They recently launched a very special new yarn called Rooted, a minimally processed Alpaca yarn made of fiber from Stephanie’s family farm and milled at Echoview Mill in North Carolina. They’ve also released a series of beautiful patterns that highlight the unique qualities of Rooted, make sure to check these out on Ravelry. This is a yarn with a story…and one you really need to experience for yourself. You can find Kismet at kismetfiberworks.com and on Instagram @kismetfiberworks.

Fiber folk: It’s been wonderful to follow Brittany’s journey on a local level, being that she and her operation are located here in the Bay Area. When she reached out earlier this year and shared what she was up to, I knew you all would enjoy hearing about it just as much as I. Brittany is a self proclaimed Shepherdess, pastoring flocks and purveying fleeces. Her enthusiasm for everything from landscape to animals to people is infectious and I hope you’ll be just as inspired by her story as I was. You can find Brittany at brittanycolebush.com and on Instagram @brittanycolebush and @shepherdesshides.

Giveaway:The winner of last week’s giveaway, is Kathleen! You’ve won Hannah Fettig’s new book Home and Away, and yarn for the pattern of your choice from Quince and Co. Congratulations!

The giveaway this week is sponsored Kismet Fiber Company, and we’re giving away the beautiful Flambeau shawl kit, which includes the Flambeau pattern and Kismet’s Rooted yarn. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment in the comment section at the bottom of the post page.

Sponsor: I wanted to make sure and thank our other episode sponsor, Ambatalia. Created by Molly de Vries and located in Mill Valley California. Ambatalia has had a rich history, with it’s roots as a modern ecological textile good company, focused on pioneering sustainable, multi-use, everyday linens to support a non-disposable life. I know many of you are familiar with the popular Bento Bags, created by Molly for so many uses…from produce to project bags. They’re so handy, much like everything else in Molly’s shop, including the smocks and aprons I’ve had my eye on for some time. Make sure and visit Ambatalia in person when in Mill Valley and find all the goods in the online shop at ambatalia.com and on Instagram @ambatalia.

Knitalong: Tomorrow I’ll be announcing the details of the newest Woolful Knitalong on the blog. Beginning July 1st we’ll spend the next couple months knitting a pattern from Hannah Fettig’s book, Home and Away. And the best part? You get to pick the pattern! So start looking for the pattern you want to knit, get your yarn in order and check back for more details on Wednesday.

Events: I wanted to bring your attention to a few events taking place. On June 27th, the first annual Eastside Fiber Festival will be held in Nashville. Organized by Meg Anderson of Nutmeg, it’s sure to be a wonderful time. So if you’re in the Nashville area, make sure to stop by and support these fiber folks doing something amazing.

Also on June 27th, if you’re in the Grand Rapids area, make sure to visit Have Company who is having a release party from 4-8pm, celebrating the launch of the newest addition to this lovely shop, yarn, yarn and more yarn. You’ll find a beautiful selection of Quince and Co and Camellia Fiber Co yarns, and Brittany needles…so go have what’s sure to be a great time!

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-27-brittany-cole-bush-modern-shepherding-land-stewarding-urban-grazing-and-holistic-hides/feed/106Episode 27: Brittany Cole Bush - Modern shepherding, Land stewarding, Urban grazing, and Holistic hidesIt’s been wonderful to follow Brittany’s journey on a local level, being that she and her operation are located here in the Bay Area. When she reached out earlier this year and shared what she was up to, I knew you all would enjoy hearing about it just as much as I. Brittany is a self proclaimed Shepherdess, pastoring flocks and purveying fleeces. Her enthusiasm for everything from landscape to animals to people is infectious and I hope you’ll be just as inspired by her story as I was. You can find Brittany at brittanycolebush.com and on Instagram @brittanycolebush and @shepherdesshides.Making 51:39
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3515Episode 26: Hannah Fettig – Maine fiber, simplistic design, balance and presentationhttp://woolful.com/episode-26-maine-fiber-simplistic-design-balance-and-presentation/
http://woolful.com/episode-26-maine-fiber-simplistic-design-balance-and-presentation/#commentsTue, 16 Jun 2015 07:00:01 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3483I’m very excited to share the twenty-sixth episode of the Woolful podcast. This week we get to meet a woman who many of you have heard of because of her incredible pursuits in the fiber community, Hannah Fettig of Knitbot.

Sponsor: I wanted to thank one of our sponsors for this week’s episode, Stash, a local yarn shop based in Corvallis Oregon. The owner, Sonia was a very early supporter and encourager of the podcast and it’s been so great to get to know her a bit and watch all the positive energy she puts into her shop and fiber community. When in the Corvallis area, make sure to visit and you can find more info at stashlocal.com. And you don’t want to miss a pretty special event coming up, Black Sheep Gathering, a fiber festival in Eugene Oregon June 19-21. Stash will be there with a selection of special yarns and fibers from some of their favorite PNW indie dyers. So make sure to mark this on your calendar and find Sonia and her gang of Stash Enhancers.

Fiber folk: I first got to know Hannah last year when we sponsored each other’s podcasts, her’s being the infamous knit.fm with Pam Allen. I quickly learned how much she cares about sharing this passion of her’s with others, so that they too can experience all the wonderful facets of this community. Her effort to create simple, timeless designs and tools has been an inspiration and encouragement to so many makers and their handmade wardrobes, including my own. What I love most though is Hannah’s desire to pursue her ideas while putting her family first. You can find Hannah at knitbot.com and on Instagram @knitbot.

Man on the street: For this week’s “Man on the Street” I asked a follow up to last week’s question: “When you’ve lost your fiber mojo and then re-ignited the spark again…what do you do to nurture that little flame until, once again, it becomes a warm fire?” We had some great answers from Kerry @kerryrobb, Leanne @leannecoppola, Maria @ninja.chickens, Nikki @fernfiber, Amy @urban_farm_wife, and Samantha @samanthamaylamb.

The giveaway this week is sponsored by Knitbot and Quince and Co, and we’re giving away Hannah’s new book, Home and Away AND a projects worth of yarn from Quince and Co…you pick any pattern from Home and Away and Quince will provide the yarn! To enter this giveaway, leave a comment in the comment section at the bottom of the post page.

Sponsor: I wanted to make sure and thank another one of our episode sponsors Cream City Yarn, which was created by best friends, Kris Porritt and Lisa Ruesch in Brookfield, Wisconsin. I just love the inviting environment that Kris and Lisa have worked so hard to bring to their local fiber enthusiasts, in addition to a wide selection of natural fibers, vibrant colors, and engaging classes all year long. Be sure to visit Cream City Yarn if you’re near or passing through the Milwaukee area. You can also find them online at shop.creamcityyarn.com.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-26-maine-fiber-simplistic-design-balance-and-presentation/feed/391Episode 26: Hannah Fettig - Maine fiber, simplistic design, balance and presentationI first got to know Hannah last year when we sponsored each other's podcasts, her's being the infamous knit.fm with Pam Allen. I quickly learned how much she cares about sharing this passion of her's with others, so that they too can experience all the wonderful facets of this community. Her effort to create simple, timeless designs and tools has been an inspiration and encouragement to so many makers and their handmade wardrobes, including my own. What I love most though is Hannah's desire to pursue her ideas while putting her family first. You can find Hannah at knitbot.com and on Instagram @knitbot.Making 45:32
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3483Woolspiration: Miss Wool of Americahttp://woolful.com/woolspiration-miss-wool-of-america/
http://woolful.com/woolspiration-miss-wool-of-america/#commentsSat, 13 Jun 2015 04:58:05 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3476It’s been far too long since I’ve posted a Woolspiration video, but the good news is that I’ve been stock piling them so these posts which have been a favorite in the past, will now be more regular.

Miss Wool of America…did you know this even existed?! Well it did from 1952-1972. How amazing would it be if something like this existed today. It’s absence is another sign of the American wool industry’s decline and production moving overseas. While I’m really not a fan of beauty pageants per se, I think the fact that the vibrancy of the wool industry at one point demanded one is pretty fantastic.

If there were a “Miss Wool” of America today, what and who would she be? A farmer? A designer? A knitter? A model? A shepherdess?

There is such a strong pulse in the fiber community and industry right now, I can feel a revival coming on. It may be a long and arduous process, but I do believe one day we will see the wool industry grow again in America and although it will most likely be far different than it was before, how awesome is it that we get to be a part of this movement.

So back to the video…

The Miss Wool of America Pageant took place annually from 1952-1972 in San Angelo to celebrate its strong sheep and wool industry — San Angelo’s Producers’ Livestock Auction is the nation’s largest for sheep and lambs, and the city was once known as the Inland Wool Capital of the World. Sponsored by the National Wool Growers Association, the American Sheep Producers Council, and the Wool Bureau, Inc., the highlight of the national pageant, which brought together the Miss Wools of each state for a competition of poise and beauty, was the modeling of wool fashions for the upcoming season. The winner represented the wool industry nationally for the following year, touring the country in all the latest woolen fashions. -Texas Archive

]]>http://woolful.com/woolspiration-miss-wool-of-america/feed/163476Episode 25: Mountain Meadow Wool – A bale of wool, Community support, Ranch wools and Learning from your mistakeshttp://woolful.com/episode-25-a-bale-of-wool-community-support-ranch-wools-and-learning-from-your-mistakes/
http://woolful.com/episode-25-a-bale-of-wool-community-support-ranch-wools-and-learning-from-your-mistakes/#commentsTue, 09 Jun 2015 17:24:10 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3454I’m very excited to share the twenty-fifth episode of the Woolful podcast. Today we get to meet a pair of ladies who have accomplished so much in the past several years and who are behind many incredible yarns you use…Karen Hostetler and Valerie Spanos of Mountain Meadow Wool, a fiber mill and yarn company in Buffalo Wyoming.

Sponsor: I wanted to thank one of our sponsors for this week’s episode, Stash, a local yarn shop based in Corvallis Oregon. The owner, Sonia was a very early supporter and encourager of the podcast and it’s been so great to get to know her a bit and watch all the positive energy she puts into her shop and fiber community. If you’re in the Corvallis area or just passing through, make sure to visit and you can find more info and a list of classes at stashlocal.com. And you don’t want to miss a pretty special event coming up, Black Sheep Gathering, a fiber festival in Eugene Oregon June 19-21. Stash will be there with a selection of special yarns and fibers from some of their favorite PNW indie dyers. So make sure to mark this on your calendar and find Sonia and her gang of Stash Enhancers.

Fiber folk: I first came across Mountain Meadow Wool a couple years back when I was researching eco friendly mills and sustainable wool processing. As you’ll hear, they’ve been involved in inventing and developing some pretty amazing processes and equipment that help them process fiber and make yarn in a responsible and sustainable way. They’re both mothers who have tackled this dream of their’s wholeheartedly and worked very hard to create a service and product they can and should be very proud of. You can find Karen and Valerie at mountainmeadowwool.com and on Instagram @mountainmeadowwool.

The giveaway this week is sponsored by Mountain Meadow Wool, and we’re giving away two skeins of their new yarn Powell, a 4ply worsted weight yarn made of 85% mountain merino and 15% alpaca. Check out this review and project from Courtney of Pink Brutus Knits. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment in the comment section at the bottom of the post page.

Sponsor: I wanted to thank one of our sponsors of this week’s episode, Tin Can Knits. Alexa and Emily have created several endearing collections of modern, clearly written patterns that feature accessories and garments each sized for babies, all the way up to 4XL. I really love their Road Trip and Max and Bodhi’s Wardrobe collections, and hope to make the Fly Away blanket this Fall. They’ll be releasing the final pattern of the Max and Bodhi’s Wardrobe collection on June 11th, so make sure to find this and their other collections on Ravelry and to keep up with all the going ons visit tincanknits.com.

Music by Jónsi.

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-25-a-bale-of-wool-community-support-ranch-wools-and-learning-from-your-mistakes/feed/101Episode 25: Mountain Meadow Wool - A bale of wool, Community support, Ranch wools and Learning from your mistakesI first came across Mountain Meadow Wool a couple years back when I was researching eco friendly mills and sustainable wool processing. As you’ll hear, they’ve been involved in inventing and developing some pretty amazing processes and equipment that help them process fiber and make yarn in a responsible and sustainable way. They’re both mothers who have tackled this dream of their’s wholeheartedly and worked very hard to create a service and product they can and should be very proud of. You can find Karen and Valerie at mountainmeadowwool.com and on Instagram @mountainmeadowwool.Making 40:39
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3454Episode 24: Hanahlie Beise – Alpacas, Canadian fiber production, Animal-Caretaker Relationships, and Natural Dyeinghttp://woolful.com/episode-24-alpacas-canadian-fiber-production-animal-caretaker-relationships-and-natural-dyeing/
http://woolful.com/episode-24-alpacas-canadian-fiber-production-animal-caretaker-relationships-and-natural-dyeing/#commentsTue, 02 Jun 2015 07:00:14 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3436I’m very excited to share the twenty-fourth episode of the Woolful podcast. Today we get to meet a special woman, Hanahlie Beise who’s passion has led her to dive into the world of fiber, raising a herd of alpacas and creating her yarn, Hinterland.

Sponsor: I wanted to thank one of our sponsors of this week’s episode, Tin Can Knits. Alexa and Emily have created several endearing collections of modern, clearly written patterns that feature accessories and garments each sized for babies, all the way up to 4XL. I really love their Road Trip and Max and Bodhi’s Wardrobe collections, and hope to make the Fly Away blanket this Fall. They’ll be releasing the final pattern of the Max and Bodhi’s Wardrobe collection on June 11th, so make sure to find this and their other collections on Ravelry and to keep up with all the going ons visit tincanknits.com.

Fiber folk: I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Hanahlie since before the podcast launched, when she reached out to share what she’s been up to, raising Alpacas in British Columbia and creating yarn from her fiber and fiber she sources from other North American farms. As I learned more about what she was up to, I was moved and asked Hanahlie if she’d be interested in selling me her yarn so that I could offer it in the Woolful Mercantile. What a special thing it is to create something from a yarn that was dreamed up and created by a now friend, a woman who’s heart is so kind and her determination to help the Canadian fiber industry, so inspiring. You can find Hanahlie at hinterlandfarm.ca and on Instagram @hinterland_textiles.

Giveaway:The winner of last week’s giveaway, is Karen Latuchie! You’ve won the Moon Sprites hat pattern designed by Dianna Walla and three skeins of Lettlopi from Tolt Yarn and Wool. Congratulations!

The giveaway this week is sponsored by yours trulyand my little shop, the Woolful Mercantile, and I’m giving away 3 skeins of Hinterland yarn, including two of the Targhee – Columbia – Rambouillet -Alpaca blend Ravine and a skein of the Churro Lopi, Cabin. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment in the comment section at the bottom of the post page here.

Sponsor: I wanted to make sure and thank our second sponsor today, Knitterly…a special yarn shop created by Shelli Westcott, based in Petaluma California. I am always amazed at the well curated selection of yarns, fibers and classes Shelli works so hard to provide all us fiber enthusiasts. Make sure to visit when in Petaluma and online at shop.knitterly.net. This coming weekend on Saturday June 6th, Knitterly is hosting a workshop by Andrea Mowry of Dreareneeknits. As a part of the workshop you’ll get to learn from Andrea and you’ll also receive the entire Radius pattern collection. If you haven’t already listened to both Andrea and Shelli in episode 14, you really should. I hope to see you this Saturday at Knitterly!

Music by Jónsi.

Transcription coming soon!

]]>http://woolful.com/episode-24-alpacas-canadian-fiber-production-animal-caretaker-relationships-and-natural-dyeing/feed/173I’m very excited to share the twenty-fourth episode of the Woolful podcast. Today we get to meet a special woman, Hanahlie Beise who’s passion has led her to dive into the world of fiber, raising a herd of alpacas and creating her yarn, Hinterland.Hinterland.
Sponsor: I wanted to thank one of our sponsors of this week’s episode, Tin Can Knits. Alexa and Emily have created several endearing collections of modern, clearly written patterns that feature accessories and garments each sized for babies, all the way up to 4XL. I really love their Road Trip and Max and Bodhi’s Wardrobe collections, and hope to make the Fly Away blanket this Fall. They’ll be releasing the final pattern of the Max and Bodhi’s Wardrobe collection on June 11th, so make sure to find this and their other collections on Ravelry and to keep up with all the going ons visit tincanknits.com.
Fiber folk: I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Hanahlie since before the podcast launched, when she reached out to share what she’s been up to, raising Alpacas in British Columbia and creating yarn from her fiber and fiber she sources from other North American farms. As I learned more about what she was up to, I was moved and asked Hanahlie if she’d be interested in selling me her yarn so that I could offer it in the Woolful Mercantile. What a special thing it is to create something from a yarn that was dreamed up and created by a now friend, a woman who’s heart is so kind and her determination to help the Canadian fiber industry, so inspiring. You can find Hanahlie at hinterlandfarm.ca and on Instagram @hinterland_textiles.
Man on the street: For this week’s “Man on the Street” I asked the question, “If you could create your own yarn, what would it be? We had some great answers from Nikki @woolenviolets, Jessica @northernheritagefarm and Abby @abbygoodknits
Giveaway: The winner of last week’s giveaway, is Karen Latuchie! You’ve won the Moon Sprites hat pattern designed by Dianna Walla and three skeins of Lettlopi from Tolt Yarn and Wool. Congratulations!
The giveaway this week is sponsored by yours trulyand my little shop, the Woolful Mercantile,]]>Making 32:37
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3436Episode 23: Dianna Walla – Confidence, Cultural influence, Fiber awareness, and Norwayhttp://woolful.com/episode-23-confidence-cultural-influence-fiber-awareness-and-norway/
http://woolful.com/episode-23-confidence-cultural-influence-fiber-awareness-and-norway/#commentsTue, 26 May 2015 07:17:58 +0000http://woolful.com/?p=3419I’m very excited to share the twenty-third episode of the Woolful podcast. Today we get to meet a special woman who’s multi-faceted interests and background have propelled her in some exciting directions, Dianna Walla of Paper Tiger.

Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Tolt Yarn and Wool. In 2013, Anna Dianich opened Tolt Yarn and Wool. a local yarn shop in Carnation Washington. Most recently she launched an online shop, full of yarns each with their own story and each handpicked by Anna. You couldn’t ask for more soul when it comes to a yarn shop. Visit toltyarnandwool.com

Fiber folk: I wish I had gotten to know Dianna before we moved from Seattle a couple years ago, because her passion and enthusiasm for cultural fiber knowledge, in particular the Norwegian fiber world is enthralling and at the very least, quite dreamy. Dianna has designed some of the most beautiful color work patterns and her dedication to the craft is inspiring. You can find Dianna at paper-tiger.net and on Instagram @cakeandvikings.

Man on the street: For this week’s “Man on the Street” I asked the question, “What are some of your greatest resources as a fiber artist?” We had some great answers from Jennifer @jaykay_knits and Maria @ninja.chickens

Giveaway:The winner of last week’s giveaway, is Teri! You’ve won a collection of 5 patterns of your choice, designed by Shannon Cook. Congratulations!

The giveaway this week is sponsored by Paper Tiger and Tolt Yarn and Wool, and we’re giving away Dianna’s Moon Sprites hat pattern, along with 3 skeins of Lettlopi from Tolt Yarn and Wool to knit the pattern with. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment below.

I wanted to make sure and thank today’s sponsor again, Tolt Yarn and Wool. I know many folks have visited Anna’s shop and it truly is amazing. She puts her heart and soul into creating an experience both in person and online that anyone who’s visited, can surely attest to. What a special place to have in this fiber community of ours. Make sure to visit Toltyarnandwool.com for a very special collection of fibers and notions.